Thomas Henry Burke (Irish Politician)
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Thomas Henry Burke, (1829 – 1882)
He was Permanent Under Secretary at the Irish Office for many years before being assassinated during the Phoenix Park Murders on Saturday May 6, 1882. The assassination was carried out by a small Irish republican orginisation called the Irish National Invincibles. The newly appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland Lord Frederick Cavendish was assassinated along side him while they walked through Phoenix Park in Dublin.
Thomas Burke was disliked by the Invincibles because he had been working for the British Establishment in a prominent position for many years and he was from an ancient and distinguished Irish Catholic family; so in their eyes was a traitor.
Thomas Henry Burke was one of six sons of William Burke of Knocknagur. One brother was Sir Theobald Hubert Burke, 13th Baronet of Glinsk. another brother was the Artist Augustus Nicholas Burke.