The Irish Assassins

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On May 6, 1882, Lord Frederick Cavendish and Thomas Burke, Chief Secretary and Undersecretary for Ireland, were ambushed and murdered in Phoenix Park, Dublin. Funded by American supporters of Irish independence, the killings were executed by the Invincibles, a militant republican faction using specially-made blades. This tragic event abruptly halted a promising phase in Anglo-Irish relations, as British Prime Minister William Gladstone and Irish leader Charles Stewart Parnell were secretly negotiating a pact for peace and independence, with Cavendish playing a crucial role. The murders had a devastating impact, shattering the agreement, nearly collapsing the government, and triggering lasting repercussions into the twentieth century. The narrative unfolds across Donegal, Dublin, London, Paris, New York, Cannes, and Cape Town, detailing the events surrounding the assassinations. It covers Parnell's downfall due to an affair, Queen Victoria's obsession with the case, and the investigation led by Superintendent John Mallon, dubbed the "Irish Sherlock Holmes." The story culminates in the betrayal and escape of Invincible James Carey, who meets his end at sea. This gripping account reveals the intricate dynamics of Irish politics and the broader implications for the Empire.