Soviet Limerick (2 photos)

In the history of uneasy relations Ireland and the UK is one entertaining event.





The story began with the arrest of the British authorities in January 1919 of a Robert Byrne - the leader of the local union of postal workers. The charges were flimsy, and Robert went on hunger strike in prison, becoming the unofficial leader of the prisoners. Activists cell IRA decided to discourage fellow morning armed raid. Something went wrong - except the guard, was mortally wounded himself Byrne. The death of the political prisoner has stirred the sleepy town of Limerick, riots broke out. The British did not come up with anything better than to impose martial law. Passes were introduced, and the city and the city passed only residents of Limerick, workers from the suburbs, where she lived the bulk of the working population, were cut off from the city, where they worked. In fact, it was a blockade.
In response, the people of Limerick have announced a general strike proclaimed Limerick Soviet Republic and applied for recognition to Soviet Russia. The British were in shock. It hopes that the city will start the problem with food did not come true - thanks to sympathizers residents of the surrounding area has been established an uninterrupted supply of food and other necessities. Limerick pay their own money, which you see on the KPDV. The head of the Soviet of Limerick was elected carpenter John Cronin, whose signature and flaunts on this money.



Soviet Limerick quickly became a world celebrity. The city began to arrive reporters, and they needed to enter a pass from the British, but to leave - from the Soviets. Deciding to hush up the scandal, the British authorities went back on their word. Martial law was lifted, and as revolutionary fervor limeriktsev no one in Ireland did not support the Soviet Limerick quickly curled, having existed for less than two weeks, from 15 to 27 April 1919.