James Collins (Irish politician)

For other people named James Collins, see James Collins (disambiguation).

James Collins
Teachta Dála
In office
February 1948 – 1 September 1967
ConstituencyLimerick West
Personal details
Born(1900-10-30)30 October 1900
Abbeyfeale, County Limerick, Ireland
Died1 September 1967(1967-09-01) (aged 66)
County Limerick, Ireland
Political partyFianna Fáil
Spouse
Margaret Collins
​
(m. 1930)​
Children5, including Gerry and Michael
RelativesNiall Collins (grandson)
Military service
Allegiance
Years of service1919–1923
Battles/wars

James John Collins (30 October 1900 – 1 September 1967) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick West constituency from 1948 to 1967.[1]

Revolutionary period

He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1915. During the Irish War of Independence, Collins took part in several attacks and operations against British forces. He served as Brigade Adjutant, West Limerick Brigade, IRA and Column Commander of the brigade's 2nd Battalion Active Service Unit (ASU).[2] After the Anglo-Irish Treaty, he was Officer Commanding of the IRA garrison occupying Newcastle West RIC barracks and fought on the anti-treaty side in the Irish Civil War. He was arrested in September 1922 but escaped from custody after one week, was recaptured in December 1922 but escaped again in March 1923. Collins was 'on the run' until May 1924. Collins later applied to the Irish government for a service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 and was awarded 7 and 7/12 years service in 1935 at Grade C for his service with the Irish Volunteers and the IRA between 1 April 1918 and 30 September 1923.[3]

Politics

On the cessation of hostilities, he worked as a farmer and a rate collector for Limerick County Council. He was a founder member of Fianna Fáil.[4] He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Limerick West constituency at the 1948 general election and re-elected at each election until his death in 1967.[5] He was succeeded in the by-election of November 1967, by his son Gerry Collins. Another son, Michael J. Collins was later elected for the same constituency. His grandson Niall Collins, has served as a TD for Limerick County since 2011.

See also

References

  1. ^ "James Collins". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 14 August 2012.
  2. ^ See Collins' successful application for a military service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934. Available online at Military Service (1916-1923) Pensions Collection - http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/search.aspx?formtype=advanced. Reference number MSP34REF2501
  3. ^ Irish Military Archives, Military Service (1916-1923) Pension Collection, James Collins, MSP34REF2501. Available online at http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/search.aspx?formtype=advanced.
  4. ^ Murphy, William. "Collins, James J." Dictionary of Irish Biography. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
  5. ^ "James Collins". ElectionsIreland.org. Retrieved 14 August 2012.