Robert Byrne

Robert "Bobby" Byrne (28 November 1889 – 7 April 1919) was an Irish trade unionist, Republican and member of the IRA. He was the first Irish Republican that was killed in the Irish War of Independence.

Early life Byrne was born to Robert Byrne and Annie Hurley as one of nine children at 5 Upper Oriel Street, Dublin. His cousin Alfred "Alfie" Byrne would later become Lord Mayor of Dublin. Shortly after his birth his family moved to Town Wall Cottage, near St. Johns Hospital in Limerick.

Political activities and imprisonment After experiencing the political and social turmoil in Ireland after the 1913 Dublin Lockout and the 1916 Easter Rising, Byrne became an active member of the Postal Trade Union. In 1918 he lost his position as a telegraph operator in Limerick's general post office because of his political activities, his attendance at the funeral of John Daly and an anti-conscription meeting at Limerick Town Hall in 1918. In 1919 he held the rank of battalion adjutant of 2 Battalion, Mid Limerick Brigade of the IRA.

After a raid on his home by the RIC, Byrne was arrested and charged for the possession of a revolver with corresponding ammunition and binoculars in front of a court-martial. Because he didn't recognize the legitimacy of British Officers holding court over an Irish citizen, he denied entering a plea or even participating in the trial itself. Around 20 volunteers went to the station on which Byrne was lying and after a signal whistle was blown, attacked and tried to overwhelm the two RIC-officers that were posted as guards. The RIC officers quickly realized the attempt and RIC constable James Spillane shot at Byrne, who wanted to stand up from his bed, from close range, hitting him in the lung.

On the evening of April 8, Byrne's funeral was held. He was not able to be buried with his IRA-Uniform, because the RIC had removed it from him. Nevertheless, the funeral procession was accompanied by huge crowds and his remains, which lay in state in front of the high altar in St John's Cathedral, were visited by thousands from Limerick and surrounding areas.