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Dublin Castle scandal
_p234_UPPER_CASTLE_YARD.jpg) The Dublin Castle scandal was a controversy involving the administration of British rule in Ireland in 1884. Irish nationalists, including William O'Brien (via United Ireland),[1] alleged homosexual orgies among the staff at Dublin Castle, the seat of the British government's administration in Ireland until 1922.[2][3][4][5] Following a failed libel action, several members of the administration were convicted of participating in male homosexual acts.[6] Allegations and libel actionIn 1884, William O'Brien accused Gustavus (George) C. Cornwall,[7] head of the General Post Office (GPO) in Ireland, of being a homosexual.[8] In a subsequent five-day libel action, witnesses detailed Cornwall's homosexual relationships with soldiers, in areas including the Botanical Gardens, and his "duchess" nickname.[7][8] O'Brien won the case, triggering both celebration amongst Irish Nationalists in Dublin and across the country, and a crackdown on homosexual activity by the Royal Irish Constabulary.[8] Criminal casesAmongst those charged with conspiracy to commit gross indecency was Martin Oranmore Kirwan (1847–1904), a captain in the Royal Irish Fusiliers who was the son of a County Galway Anglo-Irish landlord,[7][9][10] following testimony from prostitute John Saul.[11][12] Kirwan, nicknamed "Lizzie" amongst the men involved,[7] was acquitted on the grounds that the Crown did not produce sufficient evidence, but resigned his commission.[13][14] Cornwall, who had fled to family in Scotland following his leave of absence from the GPO,[8] was acquitted of buggery charges, but was relieved of his position.[6] Grocery and wine merchant James Pillar, known as 'Pa' or 'Papa',[7] pleaded guilty to buggery, and was sentenced to 20 years' imprisonment, the judge noting that Pillar was named in the trials of all the other men.[7] He was released on licence on grounds of ill health in 1894.[7] LegacyThe scandal unearthed a thriving gay subculture in the city.[15][16] Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Kevin Dettmar has stated that the scandal "paved the way" for the Labouchere Amendment, which made "gross indecency" a crime in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.[17][4] Talks on the scandal have been hosted by Heritage Ireland at the Castle.[18] References
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