Webley Mark V revolver, Austin Stack

Webley Mark V revolver, Austin Stack

This Webley Mark V revolver belonged to Austin Stack, member of the IRB and Commandant of the Kerry Brigade during the 1916 Rising, after which he was sentenced to death. This sentence was commuted and he was released in 1917.  He was elected for Kerry West in the 1918 General Election, taking his seat in the First Dáil. He was appointed Minister for Home Affairs, where he was instrumental in the establishment of the Dáil Courts. Members of the Dáil, banned by the British Government, where always on the run due to the risk of arrest. This revolver was left behind by Stack as he escaped from a raid by British authorities on a friend’s house.