100 years on... remarkable story of the Irish woman who plotted to kill Mussolini

Italy's fascist leader survived many assassination attempts, but on April 7, 1926, Violet Gibson became the only one to draw blood. Robert Hume remembers the Dubliner that history has largely forgotten

Official prison photos of Violet Gibson, taken by Italian authorities after her arrest 100 years ago.

On April 7, 1926, Violet Gibson rose at 6am, prayed in the chapel at Santa Brigida convent, Rome, had breakfast, and went out “a little agitated” at 8.30am.

Asked if she’d be back for lunch, she half-smiled and answered: “Yes”.