The Life and Times of James Connolly

he had four men for every potential striker and could moreover supply other employers
with all the scabs they wanted. He was determined on a trial of strength. The union
had no option.
Work stopped on Tuesday at 10 a.m. Tramwaymen informed their passengers that
they were going no further. Leaving their trams standing, drivers and conductors got off
and walked home. On that day Murphy visited Dublin Castle. He was assured that the
state forces were at his disposal. A marquee was erected at Dun Laoghaire to receive
police from Co.Cork. Meanwhile there were clashes between strikers and the few
employees still working on the trams. On Wednesday August 27 it was announced that
the “skeleton service” would be discontinued at dark.
Each night Larkin held a giant meeting by the Custom House. On Wednesday he
announced a demonstration in O’Connell Street for the following Sunday. The police
provoked some disorder and next day the press demanded the proclamation of Sunday’s
meeting. Larkin replied defiantly he would hold his meeting proclamation or no
proclamation. If the police insisted on fighting, the workers would arm themselves. It
was for this speech that Larkin was arrested.
“Now arrest Carson, “ retorted the Daily Herald. The London Trades Council and
British Socialist Party sent indignant protests to Chief Secretary Birrell. The Dublin
Trades Council demanded the immediate release of Larkin, and issued an appeal for
funds. He was allowed £200 bail, and it was then that Connolly joined him at the meeting
in Beresford Place.
The expected proclamation had by then been issued. Larkin held the document aloft
before the crowd, and at the conclusion of a fiery speech struck a match and burned it
before the crowd. He declared he would hold the demonstration “dead or alive”, and
then made himself scarce.
Connolly continued in the same vein. He noted the banned meeting was one to be
held in “Sackville Street”, 32 but he thought people might take a stroll through
O’Connell Street if only to see if a meeting was being held there or not. He denied the
right of His Majesty the King of England to prevent Irish people from gathering in
their principal thoroughfare.
Friday’s meeting was also broken up by police, but Connolly and Partridge were not
arrested till early on Saturday afternoon. Mr Justice Swifte sat specially to hear the case.
It is not true, though it has been stated, that Connolly refused to recognise the court. He
utilised the legal machinery that was available, while explaining what he thought of it.
“One point in the indictment, “ he said, “is that I do not recognise the Proclamation.
I do not, because I do not recognise English Government in Ireland at all. I do not even
recognise the King except when I am compelled to do so.” Regarding the O’Connell
32 The “Ascendancy” name of O’Connell Street.
210 | The Life and Times of James Connolly