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| File Reference |
MSP34REF2441
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| Name |
Michael Butler |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
Shraheen, Aughagower, Westport
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
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| Address detail |
| Street |
County Home, Castlebar
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Date of birth |
1881-12-21
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| Date of death |
1958-06-10
|
| Associated files in MSPA |
34D481; DP9982
|
| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Unit |
[2 Battalion]
|
| Company |
Sragh Company
|
| Brigade |
South Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
William Rabbett
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Company Captain
|
| Unit |
3 Battalion
|
| Division |
4 Western Division
|
| Company |
I Company (Shraheen)
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Edward Moane
|
| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
Yes |
| Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 |
Yes |
| Type of Award |
SPASpecial Allowance (DP file)
|
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
Yes |
| Grade |
D |
| Notes |
Awarded 2 and 11/18 years service for pension purposes at Grade D in 1936 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934
|
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF2441 Michael Butler.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34D481 Michael Butler.pdf
Scanned/digital copyDP9982 Michael Butler.pdf |
| File dates |
12 September 1934 - 30 June 1972
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| Subject Information |
File relates to Michael Butler’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA in the service periods between 01 April 1920 and 31 March 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War. He unsuccessfully applied for service in the periods between 01 April 1919 and 31 March 1920 and between 01 April 1923 and 30 September 1923. Butler was awarded 2 and 11/18 years service for pension purposes at Grade D in 1936 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934
Michael Butler states that he served in the British [Royal] Navy from 28 June 1916 to 25 July 1918 [during the First World War]. He joined Srah (Sragh) Company, [2 Battalion], South Mayo Brigade, IRA in April or October 1919 (both given) under the command of William Rabbett. He went to England following the death of his sister and says that he returned by March 1920. During the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921), the claims that he gave lessons in rifle use, took part in collecting arms and arms raids, enforcing decrees of the Republican Courts, dispatch work and attack on British forces at Tourmakeady (03 May 1921) and follow up engagement on a hill when IRA member Michael O’Brien was killed.
During the Truce period, the subject claims that he was appointed Company Captain on 22 July 1921 of I Company (Shraheen), 3 Battalion, West Mayo Brigade, 4 Western Division, IRA under the command of Edward Moane (MSP34REF50). He attended training camp for six months and did garrison duty in Moor Hall Barracks.
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War, Michael Butler states that he was engaged in dispatch work and transport of arms. Subject noted that there was “no fighting in my area during the Civil War”. Following one arrest by National forces, the subject was detained for two days and released in Christmas 1922 after signing the ‘form’ (with permission from his superior officers). Following the dump arms order (May 1923), he claims that he did scout duty for IRA men still on the run. Edward Moane TD notes that the subject was one of the IRA men who were asked to remain in their local districts - “they were anxious to go on active service … we had to leave some men at home to take charge …. They really had a bad time of it. Some of the local people wondered why they were not with the ASU and they could not give any reason”.
File incudes references in support of subject’s claim from Edward Moane TD (1935), William Rabbett (1935) and Thomas Maguire (1935); typed copy of sworn statement of evidence given by the applicant in front of the Advisory Committee on 11 April 1935, by Edward Moane on 18 May 1935, 17 July 1935 and 19 May 1936; material relating to the payment of the balance of the service pension and funeral grant to next of kin following subject’s death on 10 June 1958 including copy of death certificate; representations on behalf of widow by M Ó Móráin TD, Minister for Gaeltacht (1959) and letter addressed widow regarding widows allowance which was not replied to (1972).
File DP9982 relates to subject's successful application for a Special Allowance under the Army Pensions Acts in respect of illness or disability. File includes doctor’s note; application form; medical report; copy of marriage certificate of Michael Butler and Mary Bridget Butler (née Sheridan) (04 April 1920); copy of subject’s birth certificate (21 December 1881) and signed handwritten report from Social Welfare investigating officers regarding applicant’s financial circumstances (1947-1958).
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