Phoenix Park Murders

The murder of two prominent members of the British government in Phoenix Park, Dublin, on 6 May 1882. The murders threatened the cooperation between the Liberal government and the Irish nationalist members at Westminster which had been secured by the Kilmainham Treaty.

Those murdered were Thomas Burke, the permanent under-secretary for Ireland, and Lord Frederick Cavendish, chief secretary to the viceroy. A murderous campaign was continued by the Irish National Invincibles until some members turned ‘Queen's evidence’.

Burke and Cavendish were hacked to death by nine assassins wielding surgical knives. One informer, James Carey, a Dublin Corporation councillor, was murdered aboard a ship taking him to South Africa by Patrick O'Donnell who, like five of the Phoenix Park murderers, was tried by the British and hanged. The English press suggested Parnell was implicated but he was awarded damages after bringing a successful libel action against The Times which was shown to have cited forged letters. Gladstone's government responded to the killings in Ireland with the Prevention of Crimes Act which suspended trial by jury and gave the police exceptional powers for three years. In the long run an important consequence was the strengthened resolve of Spencer Compton Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, future Duke of Devonshire and elder brother of the ill-fated Lord Frederick, who was later to lead the Liberal Unionists.