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| File Reference |
MSP34REF2083
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| Name |
James Harney |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
Legan, Louisburgh
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Date of birth |
1902
|
| Notes |
Exact date of birth not recorded on file
|
| Date of death |
1969-05-26
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34D618
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| Related files |
MSP34REF3242 (Andrew Harney, brother)
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Private
|
| Unit |
4 Battalion (Louisburgh)
|
| Company |
Louisburgh Company
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
James Sammon; Patrick J Kelly
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Unit |
Active Service Unit
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Michael Kilroy
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Battalion Quartermaster
|
| Unit |
4 Battalion (Louisburgh)
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Patrick J Kelly
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Unit |
Divisional Active Service Unit
|
| Division |
4 Western Division
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Patrick J Kelly
|
| 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 5/6 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 copyMSP34REF2083 James Harney.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34D618 James Harney.pdf |
| File dates |
13 September 1934 - 17 October 2000
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| Subject Information |
File relates to James Harney’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA in the service periods between 01 April 1921 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War. He unsuccessfully applied for service in the periods between 01 April 1918 and 31 March 1921. Harney was awarded 1 and 5/6 years service for pension purposes at Grade D in 1936 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
James Harney states that he joined Louisburgh Company, Westport Battalion, West Mayo Brigade, Irish Volunteers in April 1918 under the command of Austin McDonald (MSP34REF21410) and was engaged in the manufacture of munitions, collecting arms, care of arms and training. During the War of Independence (January 1919 - July 1921), the subject states that he served under the command of James Sammon and Patrick J Kelly (MSP34REF7571) and took part in a clash with police during attempt to rescue arrested IRA officers (December 1919), assisting the Republican Courts, mail raids and censoring of mail, arms raids and lying in ambush for British forces. He claims that he joined Brigade Active Service Unit (ASU), West Mayo Brigade, IRA in March 1921 under the command Michael Kilroy and was promoted to Battalion Quartermaster of 4 Battalion, West Mayo Brigade, IRA (MSP34REF839) in May 1921 following the arrest of Thomas Sammon. Subject took part in the ambush of British forces at Carrowkennedy (June 1921).
During the Truce period, James Harney claims that he was engaged in training camp (September 1921), police duty and garrison duty in Castlebar Barracks
Taking the anti-Treaty side, the subject claims that he was attached to the Divisional ASU, 4 Western Division, IRA under the command of Patrick J Kelly and took part in the blowing up of bridges, blocking road and collecting supplies. He remained Battalion Quartermaster until he was captured by National Forces on 22 December 1922. James Harney was interned until 01 February 1923 when he signed the ‘form’ for early release under orders from his IRA officers. Edward Moane TD (MSP34REF50) told the Advisory Committee the applicant was asked to return to his own area was not called up for active service. He claims that “we left him there and we did not want anything out of the ordinary to happen and his influence was beneficial, he kept things going”. Subject was engaged in outpost duty, was in charge of the “sea coast transport service” across the bay from Louisburgh to Newport and the manufacture of arms dumps until the ceasefire order (May 1923).
File includes typed copy of sworn statement of evidence given by the applicant in front of the Advisory Committee on 05 April 1935 and Edward Moane TD on 18 May 1935; handwritten notes of discussion with IRA verifying officers [Michael] Kilroy and [Edward] Moane on 01 February 1938; references in support of subject’s claim from Edward Moane TD (1935-1936), Michael Kilroy (1937), Patrick J Kelly (1937), Andrew Harney [1937], Thomas Harney (1937) and Joseph L Baker (1937); material relating to subject’s employment as a ganger on a minor relief schemes (1936-1937) and material relating to the payment of the balance of the service pension and a funeral grant to next of kin following subject’s death on 26 May 1969. It appears that his wife predeceased him.
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