workingclasshistory:

On this day, 29 March 1933, thousands of right-wing religious zealots destroyed the HQ of the Revolutionary Workers’ Groups in Dublin following a three-day siege. It was one of several violent attacks perpetrated by mobs who had been whipped into anti-communist hysteria by the Catholic Church. The attack had commenced on 27th March following a vehemently anti-communist sermon by the priest at St Mary’s Pro-Cathedral. Having defended Connolly House for more than 48 hours, barricading entrances and throwing slates and bricks from the roof, the small group of communists escaped over the rooftops, firing warning shots as they retreated. Triumphant, the attackers looted the building, stole membership records, smashed furniture, and finally doused the top floor in petrol and set it alight.
Pictured: police in the wrecked building https://www.facebook.com/workingclasshistory/photos/a.296224173896073/1682613211923822/?type=3