Introduction. Larkin addressed a great meeting of 10,000 people in Beresford Place, on 29 August 1913, at which he burned the Government proclamation prohibiting the gathering, and warned the authorities not to curtail the rights, or abuse the liberties, of the people. He questioned the King’s right to interfere with the right of people to meet in public. He was later tried for incitement.

 

Source. Arnold Wright, Disturbed Dublin: the story of the great strike of 1913–14 with a description of the industries of the Irish capital (London 1914) 127–28.

 

I care as much for the King as I do for Mr. Swifte the magistrate. People make kings and people can unmake them; but what has the King of England to do with stopping a meeting in Dublin? If they like to stop the meeting at the order of Mr. Murphy, Mr. Wm. Murphy will take the responsibility; and, as I have previously told you, for every man that falls on our side two will fall on the other. We have a perfect right to meet in O’Connell Street. We are going to meet in O’Connell Street, and if the police or soldiers are going to stop or try to stop us, let them take the responsibility. If they want a revolution, well then, God be with them.

Tomás O’Riordan