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| File Reference |
MSP34REF22640
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| Name |
Thomas P Powell |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
1 San Antonio Terrace, Salthill, Galway City
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| County |
Galway
|
| Country |
Ireland
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| Address detail |
| Street |
Castle Hotel, Galway City
|
| County |
Galway
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
"Lispoil", 4 Lower Abbeygate Street, Galway City
|
| County |
Galway
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Date of birth |
1892-04-16
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| Notes |
Date of death not recorded on file
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34SP25656
|
| Civilian occupation |
National School Teacher;
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Volunteers |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Unit |
Bekan Battalion
|
| Brigade |
Mayo Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
RW Powell
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Company |
Robeen Company
|
| Brigade |
South Mayo Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
John Hogan; Tom Maguire
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Brigade Vice Commandant
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| Brigade |
South Mayo Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Tom Maguire
|
| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
Yes |
| Army Pensions Act 1923/1953 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 |
No |
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF22640 Thomas P Powell.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34SP24656 Thomas P Powell.pdf |
| File dates |
26 April 1935 - 25 July 1969
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| Subject Information |
File relates to Thomas P Powell’s unsuccessful applications for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. Applicant claimed membership of the Irish Volunteers and the IRA in the service periods between 01 April 1917 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War. Subject was awarded a Service (1917-1921) Medal in 1946, information held on file. It is stated by the verifying officers that the subject had “full” Truce period and Civil War service (12 July 1921 to 30 September 1923) but didn’t have enough pre Truce engagements and operations to qualify for a military servicce pension.
Thomas P Powell states that he was attached to Bekan Battalion, Mayo Brigade, Irish Volunteers from 1917 under the command of RW Powell. He claims that he was engaged in procuring information regarding location of explosives and arms. In about 1918, he claims that he transferred to Robeen Company, South Mayo Brigade, Irish Volunteers under the command of John Hogan and took part in organising work; parades; training in signalling; first-aid training and intelligence work.
During the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921), Thomas P Powell states that he was attached to both Robeen Company, [2 Battalion], South Mayo Brigade under John Hogan (and later Tom Maguire DP54445) and the East Connemara Brigade under Micheál Ó Droighneáin (Michael Thornton) (24SP8859). He claims that he was engaged in intelligence work; communications work; fundraising; procuring arms; transferring rifle and ammunition for planned attack on Spiddal Barracks; investigating robberies in Connemara; transporting wounded Battalion Commandant Broderick in a car from Galway City to South Mayo Brigade area where he stayed for three weeks (08 September 1920); was appointed Brigade Director of Signallers, South Mayo Brigade in December 1920 and left his post as National School Teacher in early 1921. Applicant states that he was arrested on 15 March 1921 and interned in Claremorris military camp until April 1921. Reference Richard Walsh states that the subject kept the brigade intact after the Tourmakeady ambush when Tom Maguire (Brigade OC) was wounded and Michael O’Brien (Brigade Adjutant) was killed (03 May 1921). Subject claims that he was promoted to Brigade Vice Commandant of South Mayo Brigade, IRA in May 1921.
During the Truce period, Thomas P Powell claims that he helped to establish and run an IRA training camp at Ballycurran near Cross (three months); brought reinforcements to Renmore Barracks, County Galway; attending arms training classes in Dublin; training camp at Lackafinna (late 1921); garrison duty in Morehall and Ballinrobe Barracks (March 1922); was appointed O/C Defences Renmore Barracks; transporting rifles and ammunition from Birr [County Offaly]. Applicant states that he was promoted to Brigade Commandant of South Mayo Brigade, 2 Western Division, IRA in October or November 1921 when the division was formed.
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War, Thomas P Powell states that under the command of Tom Maguire (Divisional Commandant, 2 Western Division) he took part in IRA attacks on National Army posts at Mount Bellew [County Galway]; Mount Talbot under command of Peter McHugh; Castlerea; Ballinlough [all County Roscommon]; Ballyhaunis; Claremorris; Ballinrobe and Seefinn [All County Mayo]. Applicant claims that he was arrested in November 1922 and interned in Athlone, County Westmeath and Mountjoy Prison, Dublin. “Five of our lads who were arrested in Castlerea were shot and I think [they] contemplated shooting me” the told the Advisory Committee. He claims that he was adjutant of IRA prisoners in Athlone and acting O/C of B Wing, Mountjoy and O/C “Chimney Tunnels”, Mountjoy. States that he took part in four day hunger-strike in Athlone and a one month (c. 30 days) hunger strike in Mountjoy. He was released on 23 November 1923.
File includes references in support of subject’s claim from Thomas Maguire (1936 x2; 1944; 1946); Patrick Fallon (1936); Richard Walsh TD (1936); Micheál Ó Droighneáin (Michael Thornton) [1936] and Tomás MacCuarta (Thomas Courtney) (1936); transcript of a sworn statement given before the Advisory Committee by the applicant on 19 October 1936, by Michael Kilroy and Dick Walsh on 06 November 1936 and by May and Fallon on 06 November 1936; handwritten notes of discussion with IRA verifying officers Fallon and May (11 February 1941) and material relating to successful Service (1917-1921) Medal application (1946). Thomas P Powell states that had been a National School Teacher at Ballygarries Boys School, Hollymount, County Mayo and qualified as a medical doctor in November 1934. He also says he served as a TD.
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