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| File Reference |
MSP34REF29345
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| Name |
Eugene Dunne |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
Cappaleigh, Adrigole, Bantry
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| County |
Cork
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| Country |
Ireland
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| Date of birth |
1888
|
| Notes |
Exact date of birth not recorded on file
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| Date of death |
1968-05-01
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34E4618
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| Related files |
MSP34REF29831 (Kate O'Sullivan, sister)
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| Civilian occupation |
Shipping Agent, Bantry Bay Company, Bere Island, County Cork;
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| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Volunteers |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Unit |
6 Battalion
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| Company |
A Company (Adrigole)
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| Brigade |
3 Cork Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Eugene Sullivan
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| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
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| Unit |
5 Battalion
|
| Company |
A Company (Adrigole)
|
| Brigade |
5 Cork Brigade
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| Commanding Officer(s) |
Florence Sullivan, Peter Neill, Liam Dwyer, Jeremiah O’Sullivan
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| 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 |
E |
| Notes |
Awarded 4 and 5/72 years for pension purposes at Grade E in 1938 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
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| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF29345 Eugene Dunne.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34E4618 Eugene Dunne.pdf |
| File dates |
27 December 1935 - 07 November 1985
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| Subject Information |
File relates to Eugene Dunne’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the Irish Volunteers and IRA in the service periods between 01 April 1918 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence and Truce period. Subject unsuccessfully applied for service in the periods between 01 April 1917 and 31 March 1918. Dunne was awarded 4 and 5/72 years for pension purposes at Grade E in 1938 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. Subject’s sister Kate O’Sullivan (née Dunne) (MSP34REF29831) was in receipt of a Service (1917-1921) Medal for her membership of Cumann na mBan.
Eugene Dunne states that he joined Adrigole Company, Irish Volunteers in February 1917 under the command of Eugene Sullivan and took part in parades; organising work; setting fire to empty Adrigole Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) Barracks (Easter 1918) and was appointed Company Intelligence Officer. Applicant states that he was employed as a Shipping Agent, Bantry Bay Company in Bere Island and provided information which led to capture and removal of 50-60 boxes of cut gun cotton, primers and detonators from military stores (July 1918). He further claims that he took part in observing and reporting on movements of British forces in Bere Island and securing two exploders, large reel wire for exploders, large sack of powder at Bere Island.
During the War of Independence, Eugene Dunne states that he remained attached to A Company, 6 Battalion, 3 Cork Brigade, IRA under the command of Florence Sullivan, Peter Neill and Liam Dwyer (MSP34REF9556). He claims that he took part in IRA general activity and operations including: collecting the Dáil Éireann loan; removing rifle sand ammunition from Bere Island to Adrigole; arms raids on private houses for shotguns; destruction of Adrigole RIC Barracks; outpost duty during ambush of RIC at Glengarriff (one RIC killed and one wounded) (August 1920); lay in ambush for British military at Loughavoul near Glengarriff (September 1920); care of arms and ammunition; mail raids; trenching roads; destruction of bridges; laying road mine between Glengarriff and Adrigole for planned attack; capture of arms from British military at Adrigole Pier; outpost duty during ambush of British military at Rossmacowen; armed guard at brigade council meeting at Adrigole (May 1921); commandeering cars for brigade staff; scout work when British army column were camped in area and aiding attempted escape of prisoners from Bere Island internment camp.
Eugene Dunne states that he was arrested on 03 July 1921 near Glengarriff and interned in Bere Island, County Cork; Spike Island, County Cork and Maryborough [Portlaoise] Prison, County Laois until 08 December 1921 when he was released as part of the general amnesty for IRA prisoners under the terms of the Anglo-Irish Treaty. He mentions that he received hospital treatment after contracting sciatica and bad health following the smashing up of Spike Island.
During the Truce period under the command of Florence Sullivan and Liam O’Dwyer, Eugene Dunne states that his company was re-organised as A Company, 5 Battalion, 5 Cork Brigade, IRA. He claims that he remained Company Intelligence Officer and was engaged in observing and reporting on movements of British forces and attending battalion parade at Castletown.
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War under the command of Florence Sullivan, Liam Dwyer and Jeremiah O’Sullivan, Eugene Dunne states that he took part in observing and reporting on movements of National forces; scout work for battalion staff; procuring billets for Battalion Active Service Unit; destruction of bridges; was on the run and was arrested on 09 April 1923. He claims that he was released to attend the funeral of his sister Margaret Dunne (Cumann na mBan secretary) who had been shot dead the previous day by a National Army officer during a fight between the IRA and National forces at Droumlave (Drumlave), County Cork.
File includes references in support of subject’s claim from Liam O’Dwyer (1936); typed statement and summary of sworn evidence given by the applicant before the Advisory Committee on 16 June 1937; handwritten notes of discussion with verifying officer Ted O’Sullivan (09 December 1937; 24 March 1938; 05 May 1938); correspondence with solicitors Justin J Hegarty (1968) and material relating to the payment of the balance of the pension executers of the will Florence and Timothy O’Sullivan (as there was no next of kin) following subject’s death on 01 May 1968.
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