|
|
 |
| File Reference |
MSP34REF7573
|
| Name |
Dan Sammin |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
Carramore, Louisburgh (Address in 1921)
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
4 South Ward Street, Worcester, Massachusetts
|
| Country |
United States of America
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
Thornhill, Lecanvey, Westport
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
Thornhill, Murrisk Post Office, Westport
|
| County |
Mayo
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Date of birth |
1898
|
| Notes |
Exact date of birth not recorded on file
|
| Date of death |
1992-07-16
|
| Associated files in MSPA |
34D730; 1P404
|
| Civilian occupation |
Farmer;
|
| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Company Captain
|
| Unit |
4 Battalion
|
| Company |
A Company
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Edward Moane; PJ Kelly; Michael Kilroy; Sean Connelly
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Battalion Vice Commandant
|
| Unit |
4 Battalion
|
| Brigade |
West Mayo Brigade
|
| 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 5 and 1/2 years service for pension purposes in 1936
|
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF7573 Dan Sammin.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34D730 Dan Sammin.pdf
Scanned/digital copy1P404 Dan Sammin.pdf |
| File dates |
7 May 1924 - 27 April 1993
|
| Subject Information |
File relates to Dan Sammin’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA in the service periods between 1 April 1920 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and the Civil War. Applicant also claimed unsuccessfully for service in the periods between 1 April 1917 and 31 March 1920. File also contains material relating to the subject’s successful application for a Service Medal (1917-21) which was issued in January 1948.
Attached to A Company, 4 Battalion, West Mayo Brigade, IRA, it is stated that the applicant took part in a number of IRA operations and general activity during the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921) including: arms-raids; taking part in the release of an [IRA] supporter from the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) in Louisburgh (July 1920); joining the West Mayo Active Service Unit (ASU) (March 1921); an ambush of British forces at Carrowkennedy; an attack on Dromin Barracks (March 1921) and the burning of Murrisk Barracks.
During the Truce period, Dan Sammin states that he was involved n the construction of dugouts and the manufacture of munitions. Further claims that he was based in an IRA training camps at Ballycroy and Louisburgh [both County Mayo] and was stationed and at Westport Barracks [County Mayo], Clifden Barracks [County Galway] and Castlebar Barracks [County Mayo].
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War (June 1922 – May 1923), Dan Sammin states that he took part in the taking of Clifden Barracks (October 1922); the burning of Castlebar Barracks; sniping at Free State lorries and an ambush of Crown Forces at [Bundovan]. Claims that he was on-the-run and only returned home in December 1923.
File includes signed handwritten and typed statements regarding subject's service from Edward Moane TD (1935); PJ Kelly (1936; 1947); Michael Kilroy TD (1936); Jack Feehan (1936); Andrew Harney (1946); Thomas Kittrick (1947) and John R Gibbons (1947). File further contains a typed summary and sworn statement made by the applicant before the Advisory Committee on 21 January 1936.
Dan Sammin unsuccessfully applied for a wound pension or gratuity under the Army Pension Act, 1923. The subject claimed that he received a gunshot wound to his right wrist and an injury to his left elbow on 11 May 1921 during an engagement with British forces. Dan Sammin states that the IRA unit took part in a retreating fight from the Doughmacone/Doughmakeon Mountain, Louisburgh, County Mayo. The location was also given as Askillaun village in another account. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) did not recommend Dan Sammin for a pension as he had “taken an active part with the Irregulars and was interned for some time” during the Civil War.
File includes completed application form; a medical report and hand-written references in support of the subject’s medal application from
File DP37270 contains letters from subject requesting a Special Allowance application form (1963-64). No further information on file.
|
|
