Three Irish newspapers suppressed by British government

Nationalist and socialist newspapers seized by authorities for anti-recruitment sentiment

Dublin, 5 December 1914 - Military authorities in Dublin have suppressed three Dublin newspapers, Irish Freedom, Sinn Féin and The Irish Worker.

Under the powers of the Defence of the Realm Act, all available copies of these newspapers have been seized by police and newsagents have been warned not to sell the paper or to exhibit its placards.

A list of newspapers delivered by Eason and Son to the office of the Chief Secretary between 1 October and 31 December 1914. (Image: National Archives of Ireland, CSO RP 1914, 23114)

The offices of the Irish Freedom newspaper, published on the first of the month, were searched by detectives who took away all copies.

Sinn Féin was due to be published two days ago, but detectives ordered that the paper not be printed.

In the case of The Irish Worker, the Dublin Metropolitan Police, assisted by a detachment of the military, took possession of the City Printing Works on Stafford Street where Larkin's paper was scheduled to be printed.

All copies of the newspaper, as well as other manuscripts and documents, were seized and the printing type and sections of printing plant were also removed by lorry to Dublin Castle.

(Left) Confidential Dublin Metropolitan Police document outlining the details of an anti-conscription meeting at which Sheehy-Skeffington spoke. Click to view full document. (Right) Handbill entitled 'Ireland and the War'. Click to enlarge and to see details of a newsagent who was imprisoned for distributing it.
(Images: National Archives of Ireland, CSO RP 1914)

It is understood that steps are also being taken to prevent the circulation in Ireland of the Gaelic American newspaper, and other similar titles. The Postal authorities have been instructed to intercept all deliveries of such publications.

Other newspapers have also been warned, with police drawing attention to the new Defence of the Realm Act, as published in the London Gazette on 1 December.

[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.]