|
|
 |
| File Reference |
MSP34REF45220
|
| Name |
Seamus Roche |
| Gender |
male |
| Maiden/Other names |
James
|
| Address detail |
| Street |
Station Road, Tullow
|
| County |
Carlow
|
| Country |
Ireland
|
| Date of birth |
1902-12-15
|
| Date of death |
1981-12-17
|
| Associated files in MSPA |
34E2481
|
| Civilian occupation |
Unknown;
|
| Easter rising service |
No |
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Unit |
3 Battalion
|
| Company |
B Company
|
| Brigade |
Carlow Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
William O'Dea; Thomas O'Connell; Eamonn Malone
|
| Organisation |
Irish Republican Army |
| Rank |
Unknown
|
| Unit |
3 and 4 Battalion
|
| Company |
Flying Column (Active Service Unit)
|
| Brigade |
Carlow Brigade
|
| Commanding Officer(s) |
Michael Keating; Senator David L. Robinson (internment)
|
| 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 5 and 1/3 years service for pension purposes in 1937
|
| Military Service Pensions Acts 1949 |
No |
| Digital file |
Scanned/digital copyMSP34REF45220 Seamus Roche.pdf
Scanned/digital copy34E2481 Seamus Roche.pdf |
| File dates |
13 November 1934 - 17 May 1982
|
| Subject Information |
File relates to Séamus Roche's receipt of a military service pension in respect of his service with the 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 Fianna Éireann and the Irish Volunteers 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: ambush of an RIC patrol at Tullow [September 1920]; unsuccessful ambush for an RIC District Inspector on his way to Carlow (date not recorded); unsuccessful ambush at Castledermot (date not recorded); and burning of Ballon RIC barracks. Applicant also claims he took part in disruption of communications, raids for arms, despatch carrying, organisation of a new company in Ballon and in unsuccessful ambushes near Carlow and in Bagenalstown.
Applicant claims the rank of Company Captain and states that during the Truce period he served as Officer Commanding Brigade Training Camp at Myshall. Neither of these ranks is confirmed in his Referee R.15 form. Applicant claims he attended training camp in Duckett's Grove, was sent to Myshall on police duty, took part in the handover of Tullow Barracks and was then made OC of Myshall Camp (April 1922). At the start of the Civil War applicant claims he served with Ernie O'Malley and Mick Sheehan's flying column (active service unit) from Tipperary and fought against National Army forces at the capture of Borris Barracks in July or August 1922. After leaving the column applicant claims he sniped on Free State (National Army) posts at Myshall and Tullow and was with a column under Thomas O'Connell when they were attacked by National Army forces at Ballytrasna, Newtown (date not recorded). Applicant claims he was captured in Seskin in November 1922 interned in Newbridge until his release in December 1923.
Material relating to subject's military service pension include: handwritten material signed and submitted by Roche in support of his application; signed handwritten letters and statements regarding subject's service and activities from Michael [Doorhy], Mícheál O Riain and Michael Keating; 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 the Carlow IRA brigade committee; typed transcript (8 pages) of sworn statement made by Séamus Roche on 10 May 1937 before the Advisory Committee, Military Service Pensions Act, 1934; handwritten notes relating to discussion(s) held regarding claimant's service and activities with Messrs O'Riain and Behan; and material relating to subject's widow and surviving children - partly closed.
|
|
