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| File Reference |
MSP34REF1875
|
| Name |
Liam Power |
| Gender |
male |
| Maiden/Other names |
William Power
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
Rodeen House, Gatha Cross, Youghal
|
| County |
Cork
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
"Rodeen", 6 Hartland's Road, Cork
|
| County |
Cork
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Notes |
Exact date of birth not recorded on file
|
| Date of death |
1951-02-04
|
| Associated files in MSPA |
34D140
|
| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Volunteers |
| Rank |
Volunteer
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Company |
C Company
|
| Brigade |
1 Cork Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Edward Lynch; Sean O'Sullivan
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
First Lieutenant
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Company |
C Company
|
| Brigade |
1 Cork Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Michael Murphy
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Brigade |
Waterford Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Pax Whelan
|
| 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 3/8 years service for pension purposes at Grade D in 1935 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
|
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF1875 Liam Power.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34D140 Liam Power.pdf |
| File dates |
28 November 1934 - 30 January 1972
|
| Subject Information |
File relates to Liam Power’s receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the Irish Volunteers and the IRA in the service periods between 01 April 1917 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 1917. Power was awarded 5 and 3/8 years service for pension purposes at Grade D in 1935 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
Liam Power (William Power) states that he joined the Irish Volunteers in Cork City in 1914 and the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) in 1915. During Easter Week 1916, the subject was attached to B Company, 1 Battalion, 1 Cork Brigade, Irish Volunteers under the command of Tomás MacCurtain (DP22353) (Brigade Commandant), marched to Macroom with arms and was ‘standing to’ for the rest of the week.
Subject transferred to C Company, 2 Battalion, 1 Cork Brigade in about 1917 under the command of Edward Lynch and Sean O’Sullivan. He claims that he took part in an arms raid on Cork Grammar School capturing 40 rifles (July 1917); was arrested by police and imprisoned for eight days for keeping Irish Volunteer hall open and an arms raid on Rate Office, Marlboro Street.
During the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921), the applicant was First Lieutenant of C Company, 2 Battalion, 1 Cork Brigade, IRA under the command of Michael Murphy (MSP34REF2430) and took part in an arms raid on ship in Passage Docks capturing six rifles (04 November 1919); raid on income tax office, South Terrace (05 April 1920); capture of two suspected spies on Old Blackrock Road (“one used to dress as a lady”) (April 1920) an attack on British army lorry in Barrack Street (October 1920).
In November 1920, Liam Power states that he took part in the capture of three British intelligence officers from a train in Waterfall. He names the IRA men with him as [Michael] O’Brien (MSP34REF1881), Patrick McGrath (MSP34REF1877), [Peter] O’Donovan (MSP34REF29066), [Patrick Leo] Ryan (MSP34REF17536) and [David] O’Connor (MSP34REF7254). The three officers were photographed (“we took the snaps back to the University”), executed and buried. For the rest of the period, the subject states that he was engaged in following and watching the movements of the “RIC murder gang”.
During the Truce period, Liam Power states that he served under C[onnie] Neenan and was engaged in arms training, drilling and parades. Transferring to Waterford Brigade, IRA, the subject states that he helped IRA forces take over barracks in Cappoquin Barracks, Dungaravan and Barrack Street, Waterford. He mentions that IRA men arrested commandant Paddy Paul (24SP11380) “but he got away again”.
Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Civil War, the subject claims that he took part in the defence of Waterford City from National forces in charge of 18 men under the overall command of Pax Whelan (MSP34REF2818). Liam Power further states that he did outpost duty for an IRA operation in Youghal, County Cork and took part in an attack on National Army lorry at Summerhill with IRA men “Shirlue” and “Pender”. Subject states that he was active until April 1923 and was not arrested or captured by National forces.
File includes typed letter from JJ Walsh, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs to subject (08 February 1926); typed copy of letter from JJ Walsh, Minister for Posts and Telegraphs to A Cox, solicitor (08 February [1926]); typed copy of sworn statement of evidence given by the applicant in front of the Advisory Committee on 27 February 1935; typed document relating to the IRA officers of C Company, 2 Battalion, 1 Cork Brigade in 1921 and 1922 (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 04 February 1951; copy of subject’s Last Will and Testament and letter to widow regarding widows allowance which was not replied to (1962).
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