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Attempted Assassination at Clontarf

When: 12 March 1868
Where: Clontarf, Sydney
Part of: Event of 1868: Alfred, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, Duke of Edinburgh, is shot in the back in

Henry O'Farrell shot Prince Alfred during a fundraising picnic for the Sailors' Home in Sydney, marking the first political assassination attempt in Australia.

On 12 March 1868, O'Farrell shot and wounded Prince Alfred at a public picnic in Clontarf. The prince was carried to a tent for medical care. O'Farrell, an Irish-Australian with alleged Fenian connections, was convicted of wounding with intent to murder despite an insanity plea.

Sources

Henry O'Farrell Wikipedia, revision of 2026-10-05

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