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| File Reference |
MSP34REF29491
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| Name |
John Staunton |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
The Quay, Westport
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| County |
Mayo
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Notes |
Date of birth not recorded on file
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| Notes |
Date of death not recorded on file
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34SP32859; DP19962;
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| Related files |
Patrick McDonnell MSP34REF58736 - refers to subject as "John Stanton" and corroborates Staunton's claims to have provided assistance to the IRA in Pomeroy;
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| Civilian occupation |
Farmer's son;
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
None |
| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
No |
| Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
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| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copy34SP32859 John Staunton.pdf
Scanned/digital copyDP19962 John Staunton.pdf
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF29491 John Staunton.pdf |
| File dates |
15 September 1934 - 25 May 1960
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| Subject Information |
File relates to John Staunton's unsuccessful military service pension application. File also relates to subject's Service (1917-1921) Medal application - outcome unclear from file.
John Staunton claimed that he joined the Irish Volunteers in the Westport area of County Mayo in 1918. He stated that he took part in raids for arms and the burning of Westport Quay RIC Barracks. He claimed that in [1920], on the instructions of local IRA officers, he joined the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) to provide intelligence and assistance for the IRA. He claimed that he was approached to join the RIC as he already had a brother serving with that force since 1908.
Posted to Pomeroy, County Tyrone, John Staunton claimed that he made contact with the IRA there - particularly IRA intelligence officer Patrick McDonnell (MSP34REF58736). Subject and references claimed that Staunton provided the IRA with information, arms, ammunition, and munitions. It was also claimed that in April or May 1921 he saved an IRA unit, which was attempting to carry out an ambush of a police patrol which Staunton was leading, from capture/defeat.
It was claimed that in March 1922 he was primarily responsible for facilitating the IRA capture of Pomeroy Barracks and the seizure of a large quantity of arms and ammunition. John Staunton was arrested and detained in Dungannon but escaped after being granted parole to visit a sick brother in Belfast.
Following this subject claimed that he took the anti-Treaty side after the split and went to Donegal where he was appointed Divisional Police Officer for 1 Northern Division IRA. He claimed that following the outbreak of the Civil War he took part in fighting against National Army forces in Donegal at Poisoned Glen, Reynoldtown (sic) and Newtowncunningham. Arrested in Churchill about September 1922, John Staunton was interned in Buncrana, Mountjoy Prison and Tintown until being released in December 1923. He also claimed that he was on hunger strike for 8 or 9 days during his internment.
File includes: material submitted by John Staunton in support of his applications; statements regarding subject's service from TJ Morris, E Moane TD, Sean Lehane, Seán Corr, Patrick McDonnell and Patrick Casey; transcript (6 pages) of sworn statement made by John Staunton before the Advisory Committee, Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 on 28 April 1937; notes relating to discussions held regarding subject's service with Seamus McCann, "Messrs O'Donnell [and] McCann", "Messrs Kelly, McKenna [and] Corr" and "Messrs McCann, O'Donnell, Ferry [and] McGinley"; memorandum regrading subject's application signed by MS Ua Gallchabhair; summary and transcript (18 pages) of sworn evidence given by John Staunton and Sean Corr before the Referee and Advisory Committee on 21 November 1946; representations on subject's behalf from Joseph Blowick TD, Minister for Agriculture and PJ Burke TD; statement verifying subject's IRA membership signed by [?] Malone and James Chambers.
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