 |
| File Reference |
1924A56
|
| Name |
Gerald William Joseph Hughes |
| Gender |
male |
| Maiden/Other names |
Gerry Hughes
Hugh Fitzgerald
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
43 St Patrick's Road, Drumcondra, Dublin
|
| County |
Dublin
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
107 Cloniffe Road, Dublin
|
| County |
Dublin
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
28 Cabra Road, Phibsboro, Dublin
|
| County |
Dublin
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
"Weston", 13 Crosthwaite Park West, Dún Laoghaire
|
| County |
Dublin
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
"Barneen", Foynes Island, Foynes
|
| County |
Limerick
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
99 North Circular Road, Dublin
|
| County |
Dublin
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
53 O'Connell Street, Ennis
|
| County |
Clare
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
184 Phibsboro Road, Dublin 7
|
| County |
Dublin
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Date of birth |
1902-11-02
|
| Date of death |
1970-04-01
|
| Associated files in MSPA |
24B1415; MSP34REF2394; 34SP2469; L2702
|
| Related files |
DP4559 (Eamonn Hughes, brother)
|
| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Private
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Company |
B Company
|
| Brigade |
Dublin Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Thomas Kilcoyne
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Private
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Company |
A Company (Cyclists)
|
| Brigade |
Dublin Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Cyril Daly
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Private
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Company |
K Company
|
| Brigade |
Dublin Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Michael Murphy
|
| Organisation |
Óglaigh na hÉireann/National Forces |
| Rank |
Lieutenant
|
| Unit |
Criminal Investigation Department (CID)
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Joseph Kinsela; Frank Saurin
|
| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
Yes |
| Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
Yes |
| Grade |
B |
| Notes |
Awarded 3.755 years’ service for pension purposes in 1947 following appeal at Grade B under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924.
|
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copy1924A56 Gerald William Joseph Hughes.pdf
Scanned/digital copy24B1415 Gerald William Joseph Hughes.pdf
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF2394 Gerald William Joseph Hughes.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34SP2469 Gerald William Joseph Hughes.pdf
Scanned/digital copyL2702 Gerald William Joseph Hughes.pdf |
| File dates |
01 November 1927 - 1 August 1972
|
| Subject Information |
File relates to Gerald William Joseph Hughes’ receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the IRA and National forces in the service periods between 01 April 1919 and 31 March 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War. He unsuccessfully applied for service in the service periods between 01 April 1917 and 31 March 1919. Hughes was awarded 3.755 years’ service for pension purposes in 1947 following appeal at Grade B under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924. Gerald Hughes originally applied for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 in 1935 but was informed that he was ineligible as he had service with the National forces (Criminal Investigation Department) in the early Civil War period.
Gerald William Joseph Hughes (or Gerry Hughes) states that his father was a member of G Company, [2 Battalion], Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers. He claims that he joined the local Sluagh of Na Fianna Éireann at Boylan’s Lane, Drumcondra under the command of Seamus McGowan (MSP34REF4289) (Irish Citizen Army) (1909); attended parades and camps at Lawless’s place, Santry; Cloghran; Saucerstown and Dublin Mountains and accompanied his father to Howth for the gunrunning operation of which 200 rifles were stored in the family home (1914).
Gerry Hughes states that he did not take part in the 1916 Easter Rising and re-joined B Company, 2 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Na Fianna Éireann in early 1917 under the command of Patrick O’Brien. He claims that he joined with William Donegan (24SP8226) and H Weatherhill. Subject claims that he transferred to B Company, 2 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, Irish Volunteers in 1918 under the command of Patrick O’Daly (24SP424) and took part in republican police duty at public meetings and fairs in Croydon Park, Fairview and spent several nights doing guard duty at the home of Mr Wilson, Church Avenue, Drumcondra “which was subjected to terrorising attacks by British ex-soldiers” (1918).
During the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921), Gerry Hughes states that he was a member of B Company, 2 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA under the command of Thomas Kilcoyne (24SP11277) and later A Company (Cyclists), 2 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA under the command of Cyril Daly (24SP11713). He claims that he took part in a number of IRA operations including: dismantling of telephone and ambush of British army lorries at Whitehall (1920); ambush of British army lorries at Archbishop’s Palace, Drumcondra (1920); ambush of British army lorries at “Leech’s” Canal Bridge, Dorset Street but did not have opportunity to fire (1920); raid on Dublin Dockyard for tools (1920); raid on Messrs. Crowes (timber merchants) for material to construct arms dumps (1920); commandeering a taxi in Fairview to transport material from 3 Bushfield Park, Philipburgh Avenue to an arms dump in Ballybough (1920); guarding consignment of rifles destined for IRA units down the country (1920); raid on Messrs. Wordie’s for petrol (1921); raid on home of British army office at 28 Cabra Park, Phibsboro (1921); raid on homes of British army officers at Grace Park Gardens and Richmond Road (1921); raid on premises of Dublin Whiskey Distillery for a pump later used at Custom House attack (1921); ambush of British armoured car at corner of Jones’s Road and Clonliffe Road during which he rolled a 12 Mills grenade under the vehicle (1921); threw a grenade at lorry of Black and Tans outside his home on Clonliffe Road (1921); disarming of several policemen at Fitzgibbon Street; Summerhill and Fairview on the same day (1921); attempted grenade attack on British army lorry on North Circular Road (1921); commandeering two petrol waggons which were transported to railway embankment at Killester for planned ambush of British army troop train (1921); waiting in position for planned ambush of Auxiliary forces at Summerhill Canal Bridge (1921); waiting in position for planned ambush of Auxiliary forces at Ballybough Railway arch (1921); waiting in position for planned ambush of Auxiliary forces at Tolka River Bridge, Ballybough (1921) and was mobilised at 100 Seville Place for planned Dublin Brigade operation across the city (1921).
Gerry Hughes states that he took part in the attack/burning of The Custom House (25 May 1921) and was beside an unnamed IRA member who was shot in the stomach inside the building. Applicant was captured by British forces and says that he gave a false name (Hugh Fitzgerald) and false address to avoid his house being raided where arms were kept. Gerry Hughes states that he was interned in Dublin Castle; Arbour Hill, Dublin and Kilmainham Jail, Dublin until 08 December 1921 when he was released as part of the general amnesty for IRA/republican prisoners under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.
During the Truce period, the subject states that he was attached to B Company, 2 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA under the command of Thomas Kilcoyne; A Company under the command of Cyril Daly and K Company under the command of Michael Murphy (MSP34REF67). Gerry Hughes says that he took part in guard duty at IRA convention held in North Great George’s Street; Dublin Brigade parade at Smithfield [April 1922] and a public meeting by Éamon de Valera in O’Connell Street and duty in the Four Courts (two days).
There are some conflicting accounts regarding the date that Gerry Hughes joined the Criminal Investigation Department (National forces) in the Truce period. Gerry Hughes told the Advisory Committee (11 October 1946) that himself, William Donegan and H Weatherhill wished to join the “regular” National Army but were told by Thomas Kilcoyne “that there were far better jobs awaiting us”. Subject states that the three men were interviewed by Kilcoyne in City Hall in March 1922 and were then sent to Oriel House by Frank Saurin (24SP1953) who gave them “some sort of a rough book to sign or contract of some sort”. References from Joseph Kinsella (24SP4685) and Martin Hore (24SP6953) corroborate that Gerry Hughes joined CID Oriel House in March 1922. In a typed letter dated 08 August 1943, William Donegan states that he and Gerry Hughes transferred to Oriel House in May 1922. Gerry Hughes also gives May 1922 when he was in front of the Advisory Committee in 1935. In the subject’s application form in 1935, he says that he joined CID Oriel House on 06 June 1922. Subject was paid £4.10.10 per week.
There is also conflicting evidence about whether the subject joined Oriel House to act as a “double agent” for IRA forces. He says in his 1935 application form that he took the “strongest possible action (under the circumstances) on every occasion to safeguard Republican interests”. In a typed letter dated 04 December 1935, Gerry Hughes states that he “refused to take action against Republican Forces when the first clash occurred at Ferguson’s Garage” [26 June 1922]. Although he also claims that he took part in a “great many activities” including “military raids, street fighting and criminal work throughout the country”.
It is stated on file that subject’s brother Eamon Hughes was arrested by National forces in June 1922 [July 1922?] and the applicant visited his brother in Wellington Barracks. Eamon Hughes escaped from custody using a “military intelligence pass”. Subject’s lawyer wrote on 20 September 1945: “My client and other members of the CID were then required to hand up their … passes but my client was unable to find his …. Shortly afterwards he was dismissed”. A Department of Justice letter (19 October 1938) states that Gerry Hughes was discharged “due to the fact that he was suspected of having given his military pass to his brother, a prisoner, who escaped from the Wellington Barracks at the time by means of a military pass”. Subject gives the date of his dismissal as 12 August 1922.
After leaving CID Oriel House, Gerry Hughes states that he “performed intelligence work” for K Company (of which his brother was a member) but “did not take part in the ‘jobs’ carried out”. Gerry Hughes claims on file that he supplied arms and ammunition to K Company, 2 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA and kept an arms dump in his home comprising of 4-5 Peter the Painter automatic revolvers and 7-8 Parabellum automatic revolvers. He also states that he supplied information to his brother Eamon Hughes (DP4559) about the murders of IRA men in Dublin by the Free State “murder gang”. Reference John Russell Cruise (MSP34REF2346) states that he met Eamon Hughes many times in his house to make “arrangements for armed actions” and was aware that Gerry Hughes “had been supplying information” to the battalion through his brother. Cruise goes onto say that Eamon Hughes “had great faith” in his brother Gerry. Following his dismissal from CID, the subject says that he handed over the company arms dump to acting O/C Sean Hayes and later all “sundry military stores” to Michael Murphy.
On the night of 06-07 October 1922, the subject’s brother Eamon Hughes [and two comrades Brendan Holohan DP4496 and Joseph Rogers] were arrested by National army officer on Clonliffe Road, Drumcondra and found shot dead the following morning at Red Cow near Clondalkin. Gerry Hughes told the Advisory Committee in 1935 that: “I was able to give information about some of the murders that had taken place … to my brother … [and] unfortunately I think the information I gave him had some connection with his murder”.
Archivist’s Note: Eamon Hughes, Brendan Holohan, Joseph Rogers, John Cruise and the applicant Gerald Hughes are all listed as members of K Company, 2 Battalion, Dublin Brigade, IRA on the second critical date (01 July 1922) in the nominal rolls. See MA-MSPC-RO-3, page 168. The list was certified and signed by Company Captain Michael Murphy on 25 February 1935.
Reference John Russell Cruise says Gerry Hughes provided him with “valuable information in regard to active Free State officers” following the death of his brother. Subject states that his home was raided several times and that he was “held up frequently on the street” and was “once fired on”. Jack Cruise corroborates that he while in prison he had heard “that an attempt had been made by FS intelligence officers to shoot Gerry Hughes” and “that the principle man in the attack on Gerry Hughes was Captain Robert Halpin [24SP1767], a former member of F Company, 2 Battalion”.
Gerry Hughes emigrated to the Canada in August 1923 and returned to Ireland in September 1925. He spent many years working as a Marconi Operator (Ship’s Officer) in the Mercantile Marine. He also served with Volunteer Force (Emergency Service), Defence Forces from 04 November 1935 to 27 July 1938. His Service Number was 112956.
File includes seven paged typed account of military service (1935); references in support of the subject’s claim from W Maguire (1935), ME O’Connor (1935); Sean O Brodaigh (Sean O’Brady) (1935); R Seville (1943); Edward Lane (1943); John Tierney (1943); Michael Murphy (1943); Sean Purtell (1943); John Grace (1943); C Daly (1943); Charles O’Connor (1943); John C Scully (1943); Aodh MacNeill (1943); Martin Hore (1945) and Joseph Kinsella (1945); typed statement of sworn evidence given by the applicant before the Advisory Committee on 07 November 1935 and 11 October 1946 (with William Donegan); typed statement of sworn evidence given by Frank Henderson before the Advisory Committee on 12 December 1935 and 26 November 1936; handwritten notes of discussion with C Daly (17 February 1944) and William Donegan (22 March 1944); representations by Harry Colley TD (1946 x2) and solicitor Sean Ó hUadhaigh (1944); typed affidavit by applicant (1945); correspondence with solicitor Thomas Lynch (1945); correspondence with Department of Industry and Commerce relating to subject’s employment in Department of Post and Telegraphs (1944) and material relating to the payment of the balance of the pension to next of kin following subject’s death on 01 April 1970.
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