Military Service Pensions Collection

 

 

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File Reference MSP34REF4003
Name Denis O'Brien
Gender male
Address detail
Street Dromin, Carrigatoher, Nenagh
County Tipperary
Country Ireland
Date of birth 1886
Date of death 1965-08-02
Associated files in MSPA 34E865
Civilian occupation Unknown;
Easter rising service No
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Second Lieutenant
Unit 3 Battalion
Company Ballywilliam Company
Brigade 1 Tipperary Brigade
Commanding Officer(s) William Gleeson; James Bourke
Organisation Irish Republican Army
Rank Unknown
Company Active Service Unit (Flying Column)
Brigade 1 Tipperary Brigade
Pension Claim Yes
Award Pension Yes
Military Service Pensions Acts 1924 No
Military Service Pensions Acts 1934 Yes
Grade E
Notes Awarded 4 and 1/3 years service for pension purposes in 1936
Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 No
Digital file Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF4003 Denis O'Brien.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34E865 Denis O'Brien.pdf
File dates 8 December 1934 - 18 February 1976
Subject Information File relates to Denis O'Brien's receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the Irish Volunteers and IRA for part or all of the service periods between 1 April 1920 and 30 September 1923 during the War of Independence, Truce period and Civil War. Applicant also claimed unsuccessfully for service in the periods between 1 April 1917 and 31 March 1920. During the War of Independence applicant claims to have taken part in a number of IRA operations and attacks including: attack on Borrisokane RIC Barracks (date not recorded); attack on Portroe Barracks where an RIC sergeant named O'Connor was shot (26 January 1921); and sniping on Portroe Barracks. Applicant also claims he took part in disruption of communications, collecting IRA levy and served with the Brigade column (active service unit). During the Truce period applicant claims he attended training camps at Ballywilliam and Ballina, served as a Clerk of the Courts and did six (6) weeks duty in barracks. He also referred to an engagement at Nenagh but it is unclear if this took place before or after the Truce. During the Civil War applicant claims he broke roads prior to an action at Bushfield, took part in Boher ambush (September 1923) and was captured 13 November 1922. He was interned in Templemore and Newbridge until his release in February 1924. Material relating to subject's military service pension include: handwritten material signed and submitted by O'Brien in support of his application; standard form Referee R.15 showing details of claimant's rank and unit strength as of 11 July 1921 and 1 July 1922 from information provided by 1 Tipperary Brigade Committee; typed transcript (4 pages) of sworn statement made by Denis O'Brien on 4 March 1936 before the Advisory Committee, Military Service Pensions Act, 1934; similar sworn statement made by Patrick McDonnell on behalf of O'Brien; letter from O'Brien dated 25 May 1936 informing the Pensions Board that he intended to appeal the length of pensionable service awarded to him (he does not appear to have continued with his appeal); and material relating to settlement of subject's pension account following his death and to his surviving children - partly closed.