rte.ie – Dublin, 4 July 1916 – The Report of the Royal Commission on the Insurrection in Ireland has laid the blame at the feet of the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Augustine Birrell.

The Report concluded: ‘We are of the opinion that the Chief Secretary, as the administrative head of Your Majesty’s Government in Ireland, is primarily responsible for the situation that was allowed to arise and the outbreak that occurred.’

The Under-Secretary, Sir Matthew Nathan, is criticised for not impressing upon the Chief Secretary the necessity for action during the latter’s ‘prolonged absences’ from Dublin. The Lord Lieutenant – Lord Wimborne – is excused of all responsibility.