Limerick Soviet

The story shows how the workers' movement and the nationalist movement were not completely separate strands, but how they often crossed over in unexpected ways.

In this case, the origin of the Limerick Soviet began with an IRA raid on the Limerick Union Hospital on the 6th of April 1919 to try and rescue an IRA member named Robert Byrne.

The rescue was a failure, with Byrne being shot and killed during the attempt.

An RIC constable named Martin O'Brien was also killed.

On Saturday, the 12th of April, the workers in one factory declared a strike for the Monday.

The next day it was decided to make it a general strike.

A committee was elected to lead the strike, and that was the Limerick Soviet.

Within a week of the strike beginning, the Soviet had taken over full control of the city, regulated all trade and traffic that took place.