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| File Reference |
MSP34REF1696
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| Name |
Laurence McGovern |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
Newfield, Rosturk, Westport
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
Knockmanus, Carrowbeg, Westport
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
St Augustine House, Ballina
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
Sandhill, Tiernaur, Westport
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Date of birth |
1897
|
| Notes |
Date of birth not recorded on file
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| Date of death |
1985-08-13
|
| Place |
Sacred Heart Hospital, Castlebar, County Mayo
|
| Associated files in MSPA |
34D376
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| Related files |
MSP34REF35982 (Tilly O'Donnell née McGovern, sister)
|
| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Private
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Company |
F Company (Tiernaur)
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
John J Connolly
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Unit |
Active Service Unit
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Michal Kilroy
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Company Captain
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Division |
4 Western Division
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
John J Connolly
|
| 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 four (4) years’ service for pension purposes at Grade D in 1936 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
|
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
|
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF1696 Laurence McGovern.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34D376 Laurence McGovern.pdf |
| File dates |
11 September 1934 - 28 August 2014
|
| Subject Information |
File relates to Laurence McGovern’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA in parts of 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 1916 and 31 March 1920. McGovern was awarded four (4) years’ service for pension purposes at Grade D in 1936 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
Laurence McGovern states that he joined the Tiernaur Company, Irish Volunteers in County Mayo in 1914. During Easter Week 1916, he says that he kept lookout on Clew Bay for British forces but had no military engagements. In the 1917-1919 period under the command of Michael Mcmanamon (1D171), the applicant claims that he took part in the anti-conscription campaign, constructing dugouts and fundraising. During the War of Independence (January 1919 - July 1921), the subject states that he served under John J Connolly (MSP34REF1737) in F Company (Tiernaur), 2 Battalion, West Mayo Brigade, IRA. Laurence McGovern took part in: refilling shotgun cartridges; training half his company; collecting arms and ammunition; was appointed lieutenant in October 1919 and the burning of vacated Mulranny Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Barracks (September 1920).
Subject went on the run in early 1921 and joined the West Mayo Brigade Active Service Unit (ASU) in February or March 1921 under Michal Kilroy (MSP34REF839) and took part in - arms raids; organising Republican Courts (parish courts); raids on post offices; dismantling telephones; raids on Newport and Westport when occupied by British troops and ambushes of British forces at Killeen (armed with rifle), Skerdagh (armed with rifle) and Carrowkennedy.
During the Truce period, Laurence McGovern was appointed Company Captain and took part in organising work; attending battalion and company training camps; arms training; constructing secret dumps and garrison duty in barracks (two months).
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War, Laurence McGovern says that his company was the connecting link between West Mayo and North Mayo brigades and he was constantly on active service. Subject also participated in an attack on National forces in Newport town; blocking roads and railway line; destruction of bridges at Burrishoole and Kilmeena; organising scouts; care of explosives and organising guards for IRA hospital in the area. Laurence McGovern says that he was the Acting Battalion Commandant from March 1923 and was on the run until May 1924. As a Poor Rate Collector for Mayo County Council in the 1935 period, he told the department that he was going to have to resign as he didn’t have proficient Irish language but there is no evidence that he did resign.
File includes a typed transcript of sworn statement given by the applicant in front of the Advisory Committee on 12 April 1935 and by Sean Gibbons on his behalf on 12 April 1935; references in support of subject’s claim from JJ Connolly (1935); material relating to subject’s employment as a Poor Rate Collector for Mayo County Council including correspondence with Mayo County Council (1936); 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 13 August 1985 including copy of newspaper death notice. He was unmarried.
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