|
|
 |
| File Reference |
MSP34REF17536
|
| Name |
Patrick Leo Ryan |
| Gender |
male |
| Maiden/Other names |
Leo Ryan
Paddy Ryan
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
26 Liberty Square, Thurles (Family Home)
|
| County |
Tipperary
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
c/o Mrs Golden, Douglas Road, Cork (Address in 1919-1920)
|
| County |
Cork
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
1317 Plimpton Avenue, Highbridge, Bronx, New York
|
| Country |
United States of America
|
| Date of birth |
1898-11-06
|
| Notes |
Date of birth from medal file
|
| Notes |
Date of death not recorded on file
|
| Associated files in MSPA |
34SP19244
|
| Related files |
MD23949 (Subject's unsuccessful Service (1917-1921) Medal application file, Available in Military Archives)
|
| Civilian occupation |
Apprentice Mechanic, PJ Dunlop’s, Thurles, County Tipperary;
|
| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
None |
| Pension Claim |
Yes |
| Award Pension |
No |
| 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 copyMSP34REF17536 Patrick Leo Ryan.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34SP19244 Patrick Leo Ryan.pdf |
| File dates |
15 February 1935 - 27 June 1941
|
| Subject Information |
File relates to Patrick Leo Ryan’s unsuccessful application for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. Subject unsuccessfully applied for service in the periods between 01 April 1916 and 11 July 1921 during the War of Independence.
Patrick Leo Ryan states that he was known as ‘Leo Ryan’ in Thurles, County Tipperary and ‘Paddy Ryan’ in Cork City. Subject claims that he was an apprentice mechanic at PJ Dunlop’s, Thurles. Applicant states that he joined Na Fianna Éireann in Thurles, County Tipperary in May or June 1915 and was election captain of Thurles unit (Sluagh) in September 1915. He transferred to Irish Volunteers in January 1916 and also joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB) in the same period. During Easter Week 1916, he states that he was mobilised on 23 April 1916 under the command of James Kennedy and was ‘standing to’ but had no fight. Applicant claims that he was appointed First Lieutenant of Thurles Company in January 1917 and Company Captain in March 1917. In the 1917-18 period, he claims that he helped to enrol new volunteers; drill volunteers; teach men how to use arms; drilling Cumann na mBan; manufacture of explosives and grenades; organising work; distributing arms and ammunition to other companies; blocking roads and organising Irish Volunteer units in outlying localities with Sean McLoughlin (MSP34REF61056) (General Headquarters Dublin). Applicant states that he was in charge of 40 men who surrounded Thurles RIC Barracks and Great Southern and Western Railway Station during raid for rifles belonging to National Volunteer (“Redmonite”) at premises of J O’Connor’s, jeweller, Liberty Square, Thurles. Subject was arrested for his role in this operation and served three months in Limerick Prison and Dundalk Prison [County Louth].
Following his release of prison, the applicant moved to Cork City and transferred to B Company, 2 Battalion, 1 Cork Brigade, IRA in 1919 under the command of Michael Murphy (MSP34REF2430) and later Jerome O’Donovan (MSP34REF21834). During the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921), Patrick Leo Ryan states that he took part in instructing men how to drive motorcars and ride motorcycles; commandeering two motorcycles belonging to British army officers outside the City Club, Cork (October 1920); seizure of a new Ford Sedan car owned by British officer outside Queens Arcade drapery premises (November 1920) and an ambush of Crossley Tender of ‘Black and Tans’ at Douglas Street Bridge (November 1920).
In November 1920, the applicant states that he drove an IRA unit to Blarney (sic) Railway Station to hold up a train. He says that he was armed with a Webley revolver and covered the train engineer and fireman when Private Patrick McGrath (MSP34REF1877) and First Lieutenant Peter O’Donovan (MSP34REF29066) removed two (sic) British intelligence officers (one named Green) who were attached to Victoria Barracks, Cork. Other IRA men present were Michael Murphy (Battalion Commandant), David O’Connor (MSP34REF7254) and Tadg Sullivan (DP6928). The British officers were found with arms and important documents. Subject states that they were court-martialled, “promptly shot” and buried. Patrick Leo Ryan drove the IRA unit back to Cork.
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.
Applicant states that he took part in sniping at ‘Black and Tans’ from roof of Wren’s Hotel, Winthrop Street, Cork with Michael Leahy during the Burning of Cork [11-12 December 1920) and was arrested by British soldiers on 25 December 1920, charged with driving motorcar after curfew hours but freed due to lack of evidence after one day.
Patrick Leo Ryan states that he became ill and dropped out IRA activity in late January 1921. He claims that he got permission from his IRA officers to go to Liverpool, England where he joined the SS “Sachem” (Furness Withy Line) as oiler which was sailing to Halifax, Nova Scotia [Canada]. Applicant came under suspicion, was handed over to captain and placed under arrest as stowaway. Turned over to the immigrant authorities at Halifax, he was imprisoned but managed to escape from jail in February 1921. He got to St John, North Brunswick [Canada] where he was two weeks under doctor’s care. Applicant entered the United States of America on 14 January 1921 or in May 1921 (both dates given).
File includes references in support of subject’s clam from Michael Eustace (1936) and handwritten notes of discussion with IRA verifying officers O’Sullivan and McGrath on 30 October 1941. Subject did not appear before the Advisory Committee.
|
|
