Military Service Pensions Collection

 

 

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File Reference MSP34REF52186
Name Thomas Patrick Flanagan
Gender male
Address detail
Street Courthouse, Castlebar
County Mayo
Country Ireland
Address detail
Street Newtown, Castlebar
County Mayo
Country Ireland
Notes Date of birth not recorded on file
Date of death 1980-10-07
Associated files in MSPA 34D1856;
Civilian occupation Student, University College Galway; Assistant Surveyor, Mayo County Council;
Easter rising service No
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Unknown
Unit 3 Battalion
Brigade West Mayo Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) M Kilroy;
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Unknown
Brigade West Mayo Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) M Kilroy; E Moane;
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Brigade Staff Officer
Brigade West Mayo Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) E Moane;
Pension Claim Yes
Award Pension Yes
Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 Yes
Grade D
Notes Awarded 1 and 7/9 years service for pension purposes in 1941
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No
Digital file Scanned/digital copy34D1856 Thomas Patrick Flanagan.pdf
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF52186 Thomas Patrick Flanagan.pdf
File dates 23 December 1935 – 30 August 1985
Subject Information File relates to Thomas Patrick Flanagan’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA in the service periods between 1 April 1920 and 31 March 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War. Applicant also claimed unsuccessfully for service in the periods between 1 April 1916 and 31 March 1920. Thomas Flanagan declined receipt of his military service pension in 1947 – see below. It would appear from the material on file that he never received payment of his pension. Thomas Patrick Flanagan claimed that he joined the Irish Volunteers in Galway in 1913. He claimed that at the time of the 1916 Easter Rising he travelled to Athenry to attempt to join up with Irish Volunteer forces there but was turned back. Between 1916 and 1920 subject claimed that he: did organisational and training work – particularly in engineering; and did election and despatch work. Subject claimed that he was appointed Battalion Engineer in 1920 and continued to give instruction on the destruction of bridges and the making of land mines and explosives. He also claimed that as a neighbour of RIC District Inspector Maguire he was able to provide information that prevented the capture of IRA officers and men. He further claimed that is position of County Assistant Surveyor allowed him to travel freely and that he used his motorcycle and sidecar to transport arms and men. During 1920 and 1921 he claimed that he: also served as a Brigade Engineer and helped to block roads and destroy bridges; blocked roads and did outpost duty for the Carrowkennedy ambush and helped to remove arms afterwards. Thomas Flanagan stated that during the Truce period he: took part in IRA training camps; and served in IRA barracks at Westport and Castlebar. Following the outbreak of the Civil War he took part in the IRA evacuation of Castlebar and an IRA attack on the town. He claimed that in September 1922 he was instructed by his Brigade Commander to return to his work as Assistant Surveyor. He was arrested on his return and interned in Athlone until his release in December 1922 – he stated that he signed a form to secure his release on the instructions of Eamon/Edward Moane. File includes: material submitted by Thomas Patrick Flanagan in support of his application; statements regarding subject’s service from Edwar Moane and J Malone; summary (2 pages) of sworn statement made by Thomas Patrick Flanagan before interviewing officers, Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 on 17 December 1940; notes relating to discussion held with [Edward] Moane regarding subject’s service; reference to subject’s civilian employment as County Surveyor with Mayo County Council and membership of Seanad Éireann; letter (30 May 1947) from Thomas Flanagan to the Secretary, Department of Defence stating that he does not wish to accept payment of his military service pension; material relating to subject’s income tax affairs; material relating to the settlement and closure of Thomas Patrick Flanagan’ military service pension following his death on 7 October 1980 – partly closed for reasons of data protection; reference to representations on behalf of subject’s widow from Padraig Flynn TD; material relating to the payment of military service pension arrears in respect of Thomas Flanagan from 1 July 1974 to 7 October 1980 to Mary Clare Flanagan – subject’s widow; copy wedding certificate for Mary Clarenda Malone and Thomas Flanagan; material relating to Mary Clare Flanagan’s receipt of a widows’ allowance from 1981 onwards; and material relating to the settlement and closure of Mary Clare Flanagan’s widows’ allowance following her death on 11 May 1984 – partly closed for reasons of data protection.