Introduction
January 1923 saw the execution of thirty-four (34) IRA prisoners by the National Army and the Government of Saorstat Éireann (Irish Free State). This would be the greatest number of executions carried out in a single month during the Civil War. The number for this month alone surpassed the number executed by the British authorities during the War of Independence – twenty-four (24) – and was not far short of the total – forty (40) – executed by the British in Ireland in the five years between the 1916 Rising and the end of the War of Independence. On one day alone, 20 January 1923, eleven men were executed in Tralee, Limerick and Athlone.
To put the scale of the executions in January 1923 into further context it is worth noting that at present the MSPC contains files for eighty-three (83) Civil War deaths for January 1923. Out of that total forty-six (46) were anti-Treaty deaths, and thirty-seven (37) were pro-Treaty. That the anti-Treaty deaths outnumber those of the pro-Treaty side in the MSPC is solely due to the large number of executions carried out that month.
January 1923 also saw the executions policy being further extended throughout the country, with ten counties – Dublin, Louth, Tipperary, Carlow, Kerry, Limerick, Westmeath, Waterford, Offaly and Laois – serving as locations for executions. Among those executed were five National Army members who were fighting with the anti-Treaty forces.
The MSPC contains files relating to thirty-two (32) of the thirty-four (34) executed in January 1923. Files have yet to be sourced for Anthony O’Reilly executed in Dublin on 8 January 1923. A file – DP8832 – relating to the request by John McNamara, Killarey, Ballina, Killaloe, County Clare for an application form to make a claim in respect of his unnamed brother executed in January 1923, may relate to Patrick McNamara who was executed at Roscrea on 15 January 1923. However, as the individual allegedly executed is not named on the file, this cannot be definitively stated.
This post will look at the material in the Collection relating to eleven of those executed in the first part of the month – 8 January to 15 January 1923 inclusive. Future posts will look at the material relating to the rest of the executions carried out that month.
As well as the material relating to the individuals’ service and execution, and the circumstances of their surviving relatives, these files also provide evidence of the difficulties which sometimes arose in the processing of relatives dependency claims. In particular some of the files provide evidence of disagreement between the departments of Defence and Finance and their respective ministers – Frank Aiken and Seán MacEntee, themselves both Civil War veterans – in relation to the granting of awards in some cases. Defence and its minister Frank Aiken, as the recipient of almost all representations made on the surviving relatives behalf, whether from TDs, Old IRA organisations or private individuals, had to face more immediate pressure in relation to the processing of these applications. As a result they were keenly aware of public perceptions. The Republican Civil War dead, and the executed in particular, were emotive subjects for Fianna Fáil and its supporters. Any suspicion that the relatives of the executed were being unfairly treated or left to suffer in hardship at the hands of a Fianna Fáil government could arouse anger and dissension in the party and its supporters. Did not Fianna Fáil, the Republican Party as it styled itself, owe its very position to the sacrifice of the dead, and therefore surely in turn owed the relatives of those dead some compensation.
On the other hand Finance, and its minister, Seán MacEntee, had to keep the State’s finances in mind in what were the very difficult economic times of 1930s Ireland – the time of the Great Depression and the Economic War with Britain. MacEntee and Finance were anxious that any awards made were deserved and that the regulations surrounding the investigation of dependence claims and the criteria for the granting of awards, were properly adhered to.
As a result of these differing priorities, disagreements between the two departments and their ministers are evident in some of the dependents’ files. The disagreements could in turn lead to delays in the processing of applications, which in turn led to further pressure and criticism of Defence and Aiken, from TDs and others demanding the speedy resolution of claims. The files relating to Thomas Murray and Frederick Bourke, discussed below, both provide evidence of these disagreements and subsequent delay.
The Executions
8 January 1923
Kilmainham Prison, Dublin
On 1 December 1922, following an engagement that took place between Maynooth and Leixlip, County Kildare, in which National Army Private Joseph Moran was killed, over twenty members of an IRA Active Service Unit (ASU) under the command of Patrick Mullaney were captured by the National Army. Among them were five members of the National Army – Corporal Leo Dowling, Corporal Sylvester Heeney, Private Laurence Sheeky, Private Terence Brady and Private Anthony O’Reilly. According to the official announcement as released and reported in the press after their execution, the five were tried, convicted and sentenced to death on 11 December 1922 at Kilmainham Jail. They had been charged with treachery in communicating with and assisting armed persons in the use of force against the National Army. All were executed on 8 January 1923. The official announcement does not mention the location of their executions. On their files the place of death for Terence Brady and Leo Dowling is given as Kilmainham Jail. The places of death for Sylvester Heeney and Laurence Sheeky are given only as Dublin. A file has yet to be found in the MSPC for Anthony O’Reilly.
The online indexes of the General Register Office (GRO) corroborate Brady and Dowling’s place of death as Kilmainham. However for Heaney (sic), Sheehy (sic) and O’Reilly, Keogh Barracks is shown as the place of death.
The file for Terence Brady relates to the receipt of dependents’ awards under the Army Pensions Acts by his mother, Kate Brady and sister Margaret Brady.
Kate Brady received a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings sterling) in [May] 1933. She then received a dependents’ allowance from [December 1941] until her death on 22 November 1950. Margaret Brady received a dependents’ allowance between 1954 and her death on 30 September 1997.
From Wilkinstown, County Meath, references stated that Terence Brady had served with 3 Battalion, 4 Meath Brigade, IRA from January 1921 during the War of Independence and served with the National Army from about March to October 1922. He then appears to have joined the anti-Treaty IRA and was serving with the ASU at the time of his capture. Kate Brady claimed that her son had worked as a farm labourer and as an agent for the Prudential Assurance Company.
Leo Dowling’s file relates to the receipt of a partial dependents’ gratuity of £50 (fifty pounds sterling) in 1935 under the Army Pensions Acts by his father Patrick Dowling. According to information on the file Leo Dowling served with 6 Battalion, Carlow Brigade, and Suncroft Company, IRA from December 1920 to April 1922 during the War of Independence and Truce period. He then joined the National Army and served with that force during the Civil War until joining 1 Brigade, 1 Eastern Division, IRA in about October 1922.
From Askinraw (Eascanrath), Suncroft, County Kildare, Leo Dowling is stated to have been employed as a pupil teacher with the Christian Brothers School in Kildare and as a [civilian] clerk in the Curragh Camp during the British occupation.
His father, Patrick Dowling claimed to have served with the British Army before serving with the National Army during the Civil War. He also claimed to have assisted the IRA ASU his son was serving with.
Sylvester Heeney’s file relates to his mother, Julia Heeney, and her receipt, under the Army Pensions Acts, of a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings sterling) in 1933, and a dependents’ allowance between 1954 and her death in 1963.
According to a reference on file from Frank Aiken, Heeney had served with the IRA in the 4 Northern Division area from 1919 onwards. There are no details regarding Sylvester Heeney’s service with the National Army or as to when he joined the anti-Treaty forces during the Civil War. From Adamstown in north County Louth, Sylvester Heeney is said to have assisted with the work on his uncle’s farm prior to his IRA service and death. A brother, Patrick Heeney, is also stated to have served with the IRA during the Independence struggle.
The file for Laurence Sheeky relates to his mother Margaret Sheeky and her receipt of a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings) in 1933 under the Army Pensions Acts. According to information on file Sheeky had served with C Company, 3 Battalion, 2 Meath Brigade, IRA from early 1921 until March 1922 during the War of Independence and Truce period. He then joined the National Army with which he appears to have served during the early phase of the Civil War until joining the anti-Treaty IRA in October or November 1922.
It is also stated that John Sheeky, brother of Laurence was a member of the National Army during the Civil War and left it “…3 weeks after the Execution”. From Braystown, County Louth, Laurence Sheeky had worked as a farm labourer as well as helping on his family’s own holding.
13 January 1923
Dundalk, County Louth
The official report released after their death stated that both Thomas Murray and John McNulty had been tried and convicted of being in possession of a revolver and ammunition at Hackballs Cross, County Louth on 9 January 1923. Thomas McKeown was tried and convicted of being in possession of a revolver and ammunition at Piedmont, County Louth on 3 January 1923. All three were executed at Dundalk on 13 January 1923.
Thomas Murray’s file relates mainly to the receipt of a dependents’ allowance under the Army Pensions Acts by his mother Bessie Murray. Bessie Murray received this allowance between 1934 and her death in 1955. Bessie Murray also claimed unsuccessfully in respect of her son’s death under the Army Pensions Act, 1923 as well as in relation to his alleged involvement in the Connaught Ranger’s mutiny in India in 1920.
From Kilcarn, County Meath, Thomas Murray had been a farm labourer before serving in the British Army with the Dublin Fusiliers and the Connaught Rangers. He joined the IRA in County Meath in 1921. He appears to have joined the National Army at some point in 1922 but deserted in August of that year. He then served with an IRA ASU in County Louth until his capture by the National Army at Hackballs Cross.
This file is also noteworthy for the evidence it provides of the delays that sometimes occurred between the Department of Defence’s recommendation of awards and the receipt of sanction from the Department of Finance for actual payment. The Department of Defence recommended the granting of a dependents’ allowance to Bessie Murray in June 1933, and despite repeated reminders from Defence to Finance, and a direct personal intervention from the Minister for Defence Frank Aiken to to the Minister for Finance Sean MacEntee, sanction for payment was not received until January 1934. There are no replies from Finance to the communications from Defence or Frank Aiken on the file.
In the meantime repeated representations were received by the Department of Defence and Frank Aiken himself from TDs and Old IRA representatives placing pressure on him and his Department.
As we will see below, this was not an isolated case. We know from other files in the MSPC that the processing of dependents’ claims would lead to tension between the two ministers and their departments with Sean MacEntee and his officials regularly querying the awards recommended by Defence.
John McNulty’s file relates to the receipt by his mother, Susan McNulty, of a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings sterling) in 1934 under the Army Pensions Acts.
From Carrowmanna, Belleeks, County Armagh, the Military Service Registration Board (MSRB) certified John McNulty as having served with 4 Battalion, 4 Northern Division, IRA from 1919 onwards.
RO429 – the nominal roll for 4 Battalion, 1 Brigade, 4 Northern Division, IRA lists “John McNulty, Belleeks, Co. Armagh. Dead.” as a member of Belleeks District Unit attached to Ballymoyer Company, Newtownhamilton Battalion IRA on 11 July 1921 and “John McNulty Belleeks dead” as a member of Belleeks Company, 4 Battalion, 1 Brigade, 4 Northern Division, IRA on 1 July 1922.
A reference on the file claimed that he had been wounded by members of the Northern Ireland Special Constabulary in December [1922] – location and circumstances surrounding this incident not on file. Susan McNulty also claimed that she had another son James who was a member of the IRA.
Thomas McKeown’s file relates to the receipt by his mother, Margaret McKeown, of a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings sterling) in 1933 under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of her son. The file also includes material relating to the posthumous awarding of a Service (1917-1921) Medal in respect of Thomas McKeown to his brother Patrick McKeown.
A farmer’s son from Piedmont, County Louth, the MSRB certified Thomas McKeown as having served as Battalion Quartermaster, Dundalk Battalion, IRA from August 1922 onwards. However, his service with Ravensdale, Company, Dundalk Battalion, IRA during the War of Independence was recognised by the posthumous awarding of a Service (1917-1921) Medal.
15 January 1923
Castle Barracks, Roscrea, County Tipperary
According to the official report issued after their execution, Frederick Bourke, Martin O’Shea and Patrick Russell were tried and convicted at Roscrea, County Tipperary on 2 January 1923 of being in possession of arms and ammunition at Ross Cottage, Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary on 23 December 1923. According to material on their file they had also been tried in connection with the armed hold up of a mail car. All three were executed at Castle Barracks, Roscrea on 15 January 1923.
Frederick Bourke’s file relates to the receipt by his mother, Elizabeth Bourke, of a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings sterling) in 1934 under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of her son.
A farm labourer from Curnaboola, Ileigh, County Tipperary, the MSRB certified Frederick Bourke as having served with the IRA from 1919 onwards and with an ASU in 2 Tipperary Brigade at the time of his capture.
Frederick Bourke’s file is another example, both of the pressure being brought to bear on Frank Aiken and the Department of Defence from TDs and others in support of these dependents’ applications, and also of the differences between the Departments of Defence and Finance regarding the granting of awards in such cases.
As was the norm in such cases the local Customs and Excise officer was tasked by the Army Pensions Board with investigating Elizabeth Bourke’s circumstances and the degree of her dependency on her dead son. The officer based in Nenagh, County Tipperary reported in May 1933 that Elizabeth Bourke had not been dependent on her son at the time of his death. In a further report in June 1933, the same investigating officer stated that Frederick had in fact been contributing a few pounds per annum – not amounting to more than £3 – to his mother.
Despite this the Army Pensions Board stated in July 1933 that Elizabeth had been dependent on Frederick and in view of what they termed “…special circumstances…” recommended the granting of a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings sterling) – the maximum partial dependents’ gratuity possible under the legislation. This recommendation was duly accepted by the Department of Defence and forwarded to Finance for sanction.
As sanction was not forthcoming the Secretary of the Department of Defence wrote to his counterpart in Finance on 20 January 1934, seeking to expedite matters regarding the applications in respect of Frederick Bourke and Patrick Russell, and pointing out that the Minister and Department had received a number of representations on behalf of the applicants in both cases. Representations from the local Fianna Fáil TDs such as Andrew Fogarty and Martin Ryan can be found on Frederick Bourke’s file, as well as a threat from the Borrisoleigh Fianna Fáil Cumann to resign en masse from the Party if Elizabeth Bourke’s claim was disallowed.
Sean MacEntee wrote directly to Frank Aiken in reply on 8 February 1934 stating that while he (MacEntee) was anxious to do what he could as Frederick Bourke had been executed, given the investigating officer’s reports, he did not see how any award could be made under the existing legislation. Frank Aiken then suggested that a further report be obtained regarding Elizabeth Bourke’s dependency on her late son, from Thomas Markham, Secretary to the Military Service Registration Board who was also used on occasion to provide such reports. The Secretary of the Department of Defence put this proposal in a letter to his counterpart in Finance on 26 February 1934. On the following 2 March the Secretary, Department of Finance replied that his Minister rejected this idea both on the grounds of cost and as an unnecessary departure from normal procedures. However he also stated that the Minister had no objection to the claim being sent back for reinvestigation to the local investigating officer.
Frank Aiken then wrote directly to Seán MacEntee on 7 March in an effort to persuade MacEntee to agree to his idea of having Thomas Markham provide the report. However Seán MacEntee, replying to Aiken on 22 March, again rejected this proposal but did instead suggest that a new report be commissioned from the local Customs and Excise officer’s direct superior the Customs and Excise Surveyor for the area concerned.
Aiken agreed to MacEntee’s proposal and had his officials commission a new report from the Surveyor, Customs and Excise, Limerick City District on 27 March 1934. When writing to the Surveyor to request this new report, the Department of Defence official acknowledged that the previous reports had found Elizabeth Bourke not to have been dependent on her son and also requested that when furnishing the report that the Surveyor would also include his own observations on the previous reports received from the Nenagh investigating officer. However he then went on to state that “…where the exigencies of military service prohibit a member of an organisation from pursuing his normal vocation, such circumstances do not preclude the possibility of persons being dependent on such member, whether during such service or previously.” Was this intended as a less than subtle hint as to the outcome the Department was hoping for from this new report.
In the meantime a delay occurred as the Limerick City District Surveyor retired and the Department had to write to his successor on 15 May and again on 15 June to request the report. As it happened the report had been finalised on 13 June and was received by the Department of Defence a few days later. This third report, from a new local investigating officer in Nenagh, found that Elizabeth Bourke had been partially dependent on her son. The officer in the new report stated that he had decided to take into account circumstances between 1916 and 1919 when Frederick Bourke had been regularly employed, rather than the years from 1919 to 1923 when Bourke’s military service had obviously impacted his ability to work and contribute to his family. He went on to state that the officer who had provided the previous reports had only been appointed temporarily to the position in Nenagh and that due to his lack of local knowledge had not been able to ascertain “…the true facts of the case.”
On 28 June 1934 the Secretary, Department of Defence wrote to his counterpart in Finance, enclosing a copy of the new report, pointed out that the Minister and the Department continued to receive representations on Elizabeth Bourke’s behalf and recommended the grant of a partial dependents’ gratuity. Finance agreed to this recommendation on the following 19 July and payment was sent to Elizabeth Bourke on 26 July 1934.
Martin O’Shea’s file relates to the receipt by his mother, Bridget O’Shea, of a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings sterling) in 1934 under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of her son.
From Garrangrena, Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary, the MSRB certified Martin O’Shea as having served with the Irish Volunteers and IRA from sometime in 1917 onwards, and with an ASU in 2 Tipperary Brigade at the time of his capture. As well as helping out on his family’s small holding he is also stated to have worked as a casual labourer for the local council.
Patrick Russell’s file relates to the receipt by his mother, Johanna Russell, of a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings sterling) in 1934 under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of her son. The file also relates to an unsuccessful application under the Army Pensions Acts from James Russell, brother of Patrick.
A farmer’s son from Summerhill, Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary, the MSRB certified Patrick Russell as having served with the Irish Volunteers and IRA from 1917 onwards and with an ASU in 2 Tipperary Brigade at the time of his capture.
Military Barracks, Carlow
The official report released after his death, stated that Seamus Lillis had been tried and convicted, in Dublin on 12 December 1922, of being in possession of a rifle and ammunition at Knocksquire, County Carlow, on 14 November 1922, and, of having taken part in an attack on National Army forces at Granny Castle on 24 October 1922. According to his file the trial took place in Kilmainham.
Originally from Bagenalstown (Muine Bheag), County Carlow, Seamus Lillis had been employed in Brown & Crosthwaite’s Flour Mills in Bagenalstown. The MSRB certified Seamus Lillis as having served with the IRA from July 1922 onwards and with an ASU in 3 Battalion, Carlow Brigade at the time of his capture. His mother, Mary Lillis, received a partial dependents’ gratuity of £112.10.00 (one hundred and twelve pounds and ten shillings sterling) in 1933 under the Army Pensions Acts. Later appeals by her for a further or increased award were unsuccessful.
Military Service Pensions Collection 