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| File Reference |
MSP34REF1881
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| Name |
Michael O'Brien |
| Gender |
male |
| Address detail |
| Street |
27 Old Blackrock Road, Cork
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| County |
Cork
|
| Country |
Ireland
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| Address detail |
| Street |
"Ovane", Highfield West, Cork
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| County |
Cork
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Notes |
Exact date of birth not recorded on file
|
| Date of death |
1957-11-10
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| Associated files in MSPA |
34D144
|
| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Company Captain
|
| Unit |
2 Battalion
|
| Company |
C Company
|
| Brigade |
1 Cork Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Michael Murphy (Battalion Commandant)
|
| 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 3 and 1/8 years service for pension purposes at Grade D in 1935 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
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| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF1881 Michael O'Brien.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34D144 Michael O'Brien.pdf |
| File dates |
18 February 1935 - 24 July 1972
|
| Subject Information |
File relates to Michael O’Brien’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 1918 and 30 June 1922 during the War of Independence and Truce period. He unsuccessfully applied for service in the periods between 01 April 1917 and 31 March 1918. O’Brien was awarded 3 and 1/8 years service for pension purposes at Grade D in 1935 under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934.
Michael O’Brien states that he joined C Company, 2 Battalion, 1 Cork Brigade, Irish Volunteers in about 1917 under the command of Sean O’Sullivan (Battalion Commandant) and was engaged in drilling, arms raids, training, organising work and the rescue of Denis McNeilus from Cork Jail (11 November 1918).
During the War of Independence (January 1919 - July 1921) under the command of Michael Murphy (MSP34REF2430) (Battalion Commandant), the applicant states as Company Captain he took part in in general IRA activity and operations including: arms raid on SS “Pensacola” at Passage Docks (04 November 1919); attack on British army soldiers on Barrack Street, cork (19 October 1920) and the “hunting down and shooting of spies”.
Archivist’s Note: Subject is listed as part of the IRA unit who took out three British intelligence officers from a train at Waterfall, County Cork and executed them. See Brigade Activity Reports A1_C_2 C Company 2 Battalion 1 Cork Brigade, page 21.
Subject also states that he visited London four times to procure arms from 1920 onwards. He says that he borrowed £100 which was refunded back to him. He claims that on one trip he personal brought back 40 small arms and about seven cwt of assorted ammunition to Cork via Manchester. On another occasion, he acquired two Lewis guns. Applicant states that he was in contact with Reginald Dunne (DP1462) (Battalion Commandant) and was involved in three planned operations including the rescue of Thomas Hales (MSP34REF2074) (3 Cork Brigade) from Pentonville Prison which was called off. While in London, Michel O’Brien states that Tadgh Sullivan (DP6928) and later Donal O’Donoghue (MSP34REF6153) were Acting Company Captain in his absence.
On 16 June 1922 during the Truce period, the subject states that he became seriously ill and was hospitalised in South Infirmary Cork for four months. He later was sent to a specialist in London and had an operation in Kings College Hospital, Denmark Hill. Michael O’Brien was still Company Captain on the second critical date (01 July 1922) but records on file show that Jack Fitzgerald (Second Lieutenant) was in charge.
File includes 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 10 November 1957; copy of High Court of Justice probate document (1958) and letter to widow regarding widows allowance which was returned stating that she had died in 1960 (1972).
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