On May 11, 1916, Irish politician John Dillon made a passionate plea in the British House of Commons regarding the treatment of the Easter Rising rebels. While acknowledging the rebels' actions were 'wrong,' he emphasized that they had 'fought a clean fight.' Dillon argued against further executions, warning that the harsh penalties were fueling Irish nationalism and turning public opinion in favor of the rebels. His intervention is credited with helping to halt the executions of some of the remaining leaders, though James Connolly and Seán Mac Diarmada were executed the following day.
