2025-12-16

100. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Defence the process for the awarding of historical IRA medals to families of volunteers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [71916/25]

What is the process for the awarding of historical IRA medals to families of volunteers? I raise the case of Patrick Morrissey from Athenry, County Galway, with the Minister. I will come back to that in my later contribution.

The Government decided in January 1941 that two medals should be struck in respect of service during the 1916-21 period, one for service during Easter week 1916 and the second for subsequent service up to the truce of 11 July 1921. In May 1942, the Government further decided that the second medal, the service medal, should be issued to two groups of people. The medal with bar was to be issued to persons in possession of a military service certificate entitling them to a pension under the Military Service Pensions Acts in respect of the period subsequent to 1916 and prior to 11 July 1921 and to those persons not in possession of a certificate who could satisfy the Minister for Defence that, had they applied for a pension, their service was such as would have merited the award of a pension. The medal without bar was to be issued to persons who were enrolled in the Irish Republican Army, Fianna Éireann, Cumann na mBan or the Irish Citizen Army not less than three months prior to 11 July 1921 but who did not qualify for a pension. In certain exceptional situations, a medal can be posthumously awarded if no medal was previously issued. However, in order not to diminish the intrinsic value of such medals, this is only done in exceptional cases and only where there is incontrovertible verified evidence available that the criteria for the award of a medal have been met. The process by which applications and petitions or appeals under the Military Service Pensions Acts were investigated and verified was wound up in 1958 and, as the Deputy can appreciate, there are now no surviving members of the old IRA or related organisations who could verify membership. Given the time that has elapsed, there is no mechanism available now by which service and activities can be investigated or verified other than existing departmental records. It is therefore difficult to satisfy the requirements, although it is not impossible and, over the last number of years, there have been people who have satisfied the requirements and been awarded medals posthumously. All applications for a posthumous medal made to my Department are carefully considered. However, there are no plans to put in place wider arrangements or to lower the criteria in relation to the award of posthumous medals. Certainly, if there is an individual the Deputy is referring to specifically, a request for applications can be addressed to the pensions administration section of my Department, which is based in Renmore in Galway. I can provide the Deputy with the full postal and email addresses.

The individual in question is Patrick Morrissey of Athenry. Patrick joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1907. He later joined the Irish Volunteers in Athenry in 1914. Athenry was one of the main focal points of the 1916 Rising outside of Dublin. Patrick played a key role locally in that. He was subsequently imprisoned in Kilmainham and then in Wales. He was active once again during the War of Independence as part of the Derrydonnell brigade of the IRA. One of his relatives, Michael Morrissey, has conducted extensive research into the role Patrick played in the Rising, the 1918 election and the War of Independence. There is a lot of supporting documentation, books and different sources on his active role in the Army. Michael has attempted a number of times to apply for a medal with the evidence he has collated to date but, due mainly to the passing of time, this has not been accepted. Will the Department engage with Michael on this application and ensure that, in some way, Patrick's service can be recognised?

The Deputy outlined some of the details, but he will appreciate that without having all the information, it is hard to make a decision or to be able to respond effectively. While I said it is very difficult, it is certainly not impossible for medals to be awarded posthumously. In 2024, 15 posthumous medal applications and five medals were awarded. I do not know when Michael Morrissey applied initially or whether he was one of those 15. To date this year, 14 applications have been received and five medals awarded. Of the remaining nine, three were refused because they did not meet the criteria. Three were found to have been awarded previously, so there was obviously an overlap, and three applications are in progress. I advise that if the individual representing the person wants to make a further application, there is quite a stringent process in place. There are strict set criteria that need to be complied with but the matter can be looked at again if the person makes a further application.

While I appreciate the Minister's response, I find it frustrating because I know Michael Morrissey has submitted a number of applications. The evidence is clear that Patrick was a member of the Irish Volunteers and the IRA. It is very frustrating for the family. These medals are cherished possessions for the families who have them. It is really important to them that the efforts of their family member are properly recognised. Patrick Morrissey passed away in 1962. He had no direct next of kin. Michael Morrissey has made significant efforts in this regard. Will the Minister take a look at this case? I am happy to send on the full details submitted by Michael on a number of occasions. I feel he has been very hard done by in this case. It is really important to him that this is properly recognised. If at all possible, will the Minister take a look at this particular case and possibly engage with the Department on awarding the medal to this particular individual?

I support what Deputy O'Hara is asking for. I happened to be present at the presentation of a medal in 2019 to the family of Joe Murphy. It was presented to his nephew Henry Delaney and is a source of great pride to that family. If the evidence is there, these medals are very important to families and the local community. A issue that was raised with me by Jim Hegarty, a nephew of John Joe Hegarty who was a member of the old IRA, is that the rank of the volunteers seems to have been in records recognised in relation to the pro-Treaty side but not for the anti-Treaty side. The rank of those who fought in the Tan War and the War of Independence should be restored to those who fought on the anti-Treaty side subsequently.

I thank Deputy Ó Laoghaire. If he writes to me directly on that matter, I will respond to him. In response to Deputy O'Hara, I appreciate that this was highly specific prior to 1958 when many changes were made. Before 1958, applications were required to state the name of the unit, subunit, battalion company, former brigade, battalion and the company officers commanding. Given that this process was wound up in 1958 and that there are no surviving members alive to verify membership, and in light of the time that has elapsed, it is hard to investigate or verify information in terms of existing departmental records. That is why it is very difficult. It is also the reason that posthumous awards are applied in a small number of the applications made. All I can say is that another application can be made if there is further evidence or information that can be provided on behalf of the individual. If that is done, the Department can look at it again.