Commission of Inquiry into Rising established by Asquith

London, 12 May 1916 - The Prime Minister Herbert Asquith has announced the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry into the Dublin disturbances.

Mr Asquith told the House of Commons that the commission would ‘inquire into the causes of the recent outbreak of rebellion in Ireland and the conduct and degree of responsibility of the military and civil executive in Ireland in connection therewith’.

Mr Asquith in Trinity College with Lady Wimborne, General Maxwell and the Provost of Trinity College during his trip to Dublin. (Image: Irish Life, Vol. 17, 19 May 1916. Full collection available in the National LIbrary of Ireland)

Asquith in Dublin
Asquith travelled to Dublin this morning to see for himself the state of the city in the aftermath of the rebellion.

He was brought to see the devastation around the Sackville Street area and held lengthy meetings with the military authorities and government officials in Dublin.

There is intense speculation as to the ultimate meaning of the Prime Minister’s arrival, which coincides with the execution of two more rebel leaders today, James Connolly and Seán Mac Diarmada, who were shot by firing squad at Kilmainham Gaol this morning.

This brings the number executed for their part in the rebellion to 15.

[Editor's note: This is an article from Century Ireland, a fortnightly online newspaper, written from the perspective of a journalist 100 years ago, based on news reports of the time.]