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]
In 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]
Amongst 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]
The scandal unearthed a thriving gay subculture in the city. [15] [16] [17]
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. [18] [4]
In 2020, a Dublin Castle exhibition, "Splendour & Scandal:The Office of Arms at Dublin Castle", included references to the scandal. [19] [20] In September 2021 a sculpture, "RGB Sconce, Hold Your Nose", which was inspired by the scandal was temporarily erected outside City Hall. [21] Talks on the scandal have been hosted by Heritage Ireland at the Castle. [22]
