Coffin marked 'RIP British Empire' thrown into Liffey during anti-monarchy march

By Rebecca Black, PA

A coffin marked RIP British Empire has been thrown into the river Liffey in Dublin city centre.

The incident came during a protest march against the monarchy which took place in the capital on the day that the funeral for Britain's Queen Elizabeth took place in London.

Anti Imperialist Action Ireland said it was the recreation of an action by former socialist leader James Connolly in Dublin in 1897 during a visit to the city by Queen Victoria.

Along the march, a coffin marked "RIP British Empire" was thrown into the Liffey at O'Connell Street, just as James Connolly did in 1897 to protest the visit of Victoria. pic.twitter.com/XPzhOB1x5i

— Anti Imperialist Action Ireland (@AIAIreland) September 19, 2022

President Michael D Higgins and Taoiseach Micheál Martin were among world leaders who attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth in London.

The march in Dublin on Monday afternoon was described as being “against the grovelling worship of the English Monarchy by the Free State ruling class”.

Protesters also objected to the flying of the tricolour at half-mast on the day of the queen’s funeral.