Manchester Martyrs hanged for the killing of a policeman

Background. The Manchester Martyrs were members of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, an organization dedicated to ending British rule in Ireland. In 1867, the Fenians prepared for an armed uprising, but their plans were known to authorities, leading to the arrest of key leadership members. The incident involved an attack on a police van transporting two arrested leaders, resulting in the accidental shooting of a police officer.

The Incident. On 18 September 1867, a group of Fenians attacked a horse-drawn police van in Manchester. Police Sergeant Charles Brett, who was inside the van with the keys, was shot and killed while looking through the keyhole as attackers attempted to force the door open. The rescuers had previously failed to open the van using hatchets, sledgehammers, and crowbars.

Legal Proceedings. Committal proceedings were heard on 27 September 1867 before a magistrate to establish whether there was a prima facie case against the 28 accused. Although Allen and Larkin admitted taking part in the attack, none of the defendants was accused of firing the fatal shot. They were convicted on the basis of 'joint enterprise' for taking part in a criminal enterprise that ended in the killing. Proceedings began on 28 October 1867 before Mr Justice Blackburne and Mr Justice Mellor.

Execution. The three men were publicly hanged on a temporary structure built on the wall of Salford Gaol on 23 November 1867. A crowd of 8,000–10,000 gathered to witness the execution. The bodies were initially buried in the New Bailey Prison graveyard, later transferred to Strangeways Prison Cemetery when New Bailey Prison closed in 1868.