Courts / Dublin / Report
The extraordinary tale of two lawyers who ended up on opposing sides in 1916
Summary
In May 1916, Dublin solicitor William Corrigan was tried in a makeshift Richmond Barracks courtroom for his role in the Easter Rising. He had been a lieutenant in the Irish Volunteers and was wounded before surrendering. Barrister William Wylie, a young king's counsel, was the prosecutor. Wylie, who had previously worked with Corrigan, attempted to help the rebels and even examined Corrigan in his defence. Corrigan was sentenced to death, but the sentence was commuted to five years' penal servitude. He was sent to an English prison, later returned to Ireland in 1919. The two lawyers later met again in 1920, each representing opposing sides in a brief meeting that marked a first step toward the truce. Wylie later served on the High Court, while Corrigan became solicitor to the attorney general. The article appeared in the Irish Times.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: The extraordinary tale of two lawyers who ended up on opposing sides in 1916. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 1916 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 26th, 1920 Other
- 2016-03-22 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Outcome: Wylie responded that the previous three defendants had been sentenced to death but that he would do his best for his colleague. There was a cheque for five guineas with it which I haven't cashed yet and, if you execute, that cheque might not be met, so I was very much in earnest." According to Wylie biographer Leon Ó'Bróin, this was met by a stunned silence before the officers broke down in laughter. "All right, Wylie, your five guineas is safe," Blackader said. "We'll recommend a reprieve." Corrigan was sentenced to death with a recommendation to mercy.
Places mentioned
- St Andrew Street
- British prison
- Grangegorman Mental Hospital
- High Court
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request