» Mícheál Mac Donncha
The burning of Cork City centre 100 years ago this week was not only one of the worst ‘reprisals’ carried out by British crown forces, it was also a direct attack on democracy with the destruction of the City Hall, seat of the City Council. That attack on democracy was seen again soon afterwards in Dublin when British forces seized the City Hall.
The Auxiliaries went on a concerted rampage in Cork City centre on 11 December 1920. They burned down shops and other business premises and specifically targeted the City Hall and library. Fire Brigade hoses were cut with bayonets to ensure that the destruction was complete. They caused millions of pounds worth of damage and severely impacted the economy of the city.