At a meeting held in the Gresham hotel Dublin on 9th Feb 1922 Alderman Michael Staines TD, a native of Newport, Co. Mayo was proposed as the first Commissioner of the Irish Republic police force known as the Civic Guards. The new force was initially armed, but was reorganised after the Kildare Mutiny as an unarmed force and renamed An Garda Siochana. Staines resigned his role as Commissioner following the mutiny and was replaced by General Eoin O’Duffy. Duffy, who was a native of Carrickaduff, Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan served as Commissioner from September 1922 to February 1933.
On June 14th 1923 the first Gardai were allocated to the village of Athea. They were accommodated in a section of a building which was rented from a Dr. Maurice Rice Danagher, a native of Athea but who was living in Thomaly On-Teess, England at the time.
On November 7th 1924 Patrick T. Liston & Co, Solicitors, Rathkeale wrote to the Chief Superintendent, Phoenix Park advising him that these premises were now offered for sale by public auction and that the Gardai would have to vacate the premises on getting three months notice.
In a letter dated Jan 7th 1925 from the Secretary Dept of Justice to the Commissioner with regard to the provision of accommodation for the Garda Siochana at Athea it was stated therein that while Mr. Danagher would prefer to regain possession of the entire building for business and residential purposes he was prepared, with a view to settlement, to let the western portion of the building as a Garda Station until more suitable accommodation could be found and that the necessary repairs should be carried out to the portion of the building in question. The repairs were carried out and the new Garda Station was occupied on February 6th 1925 with conditions of tenure as follows -:
Premises : The western portion of the landlord’s house at Athea.
Lesser : Maurice Rice Danaher, Athea, Co. Limerick, Esquire.
Rent : £40 per annum.
Tenure : Yearly from 6th February 1925.
Liability for
Rates & Taxes : Landlord liable.
Maintenance : Landlord liable.
On Oct 2nd 1925 Mrs. Ellen Connell, Bridge House, Athea wrote to the Deputy Commissioner, Eamonn Coogan offering portion of her house to be used as a Garda station.. Mrs. O’Connell concluded her letter as follows : –
‘’I will be satisfied to lease the portion mentioned for a period of 10 years, ten years, or less or more for lump sum to be agreed on.
Trusting to hear from you at your earliest convenience.
I beg to remain,
Yours Sincerely, Ellen O’Connell.’’
Following an inspection by a Mr. Brophy from the Board of Works Mrs. O’Connell’s house was deemed not suitable. It was reported as follows – ‘’the matter was fully considered and in view of the impracticability of providing suitable married accommodation in the premises your offer could not in the circumstances be accepted.’’ Not satisfied with the outcome Mrs. O’Connell called personally to the Garda Depot on the first week of July 1927 to renew her offer. She was now willing to lease the entire premises, including the shop portion thereof for the purpose of a barrack. Once again her offer was turned down.
Meanwhile, on July 9th 1927 Mr. Patrick Lynch, Main St, Athea threw his hat in the ring offering his house to be used as a barrack for Athea. Patrick Lynch I might mention was a brother to James Lynch, Glosha. Patrick spent many years working in the U.S., came home and opened a shop next door to Dan Liston’s public house, (now J.P. Collins’s R.I.P.) Tommy Danaher bought the place afterwards and he subsequently sold it on to the Liston family.
Mrs. O’Connell wasn’t a bit satisfied with the whole set up. She made her feelings known in a letter dated Aug 9th 1927 to a guard Murphy, Phoenix Park, Dublin, that she was of the opinion that her enemies were trying to weave a net around her.(somebody had reported to the authorities that the floods from the Gale river were entering her house) She made it clear that the flood only entered her house on one occasion,(a cloud burst) when guard Rousome and his wife lived with her. She also stated that a day or two before she got back from Dublin the Sgt had cleverly arranged the moving of guard Dunne and his wife from her house to Mr. Danaher’s public house. She also mentioned that the burning of her house in 1913 was not of her making but of her very great misfortune and she thanked her P.P. Canon Cregan for his influence into sorting out of her mishap.
On Aug 3rd 1928 Ellen O’Connell and Patrick Lynch were both informed that their respective building’s were deemed to be unsuitable for the purpose of a Garda barracks. It was stated that no amount of alterations would make Mrs. O’Connell’s premises suitable. In the case of Patrick Lynch it was stated that the house consisted of five apartments. There were no out-offices and Lynch was not willing to provide any and was not willing to make any alterations in the house itself. The house was too small and there was no married accommodation available either.
It was also mentioned that there was a site now available in the village for the building of a new barracks.
On Sept 24th 1928 Sgt John Sheehy made the following report in relation to Athea Gda Station :
‘’I respectfully beg to state that the out-office accommodation for single men at this station consists of a turf-shed of about 8’ – 12’ and a back yard 30’ – 7’.
The sanitary arrangement consists of a lavatory with a pipe connected to the sewer which when flushed with water drawn in buckets empties itself into the river.
This lavatory is situated in an adjoining yard the property of the landlord, Maurice Danaher and is about 40 yds from the station and is often used by the public as well as the men at the station.
There is no married quarters at this station or no sanitary arrangements for same’’.
Moving on to November 7th 1930 we have a letter written by Eamon Ambrose P.C., Athea to Gen E. O’Duffy, Gda Depot. Eamon (Ned) was the Athea correspondent for the Kerryman newspaper at the time and was well known for his panache with the pen. He was married to a schoolteacher and they lived next to the old post-office on the Abbeyfeale Road which later became John Joe O’Connor’s drapery store.
The letter went as follows :
A Chara,
It is with considerable diffidence I venture to communicate with you over a matter, which is altogether outside my sphere as a private citizen, and which in addition, is one that should only be the concern of the Garda Authorities themselves. Naturally, the erection of a barracks for the rank and file of the Garda, either in Athea or elsewhere, as well as the selection of suitable sites for same, are matters which should be left solely to the discretion and judgement of those responsible for police administration. Advice or suggestions proffered from outside sources, however well meaning, are to be deprecated, in such instances, especially when they are unsolicited. It is with profound reluctance, therefore, that I take the liberty of addressing you relative to the proposed sites for a Garda barracks at Athea, the building of which, has, I understand, been in contemplation for some time past.
One of those sites, which happens to be adjacent to the local post office, has, I believe, been provisionally selected a considerable time back, as a suitable place on which to erect the proposed barrack. Very recently, however, it appears that a Mr. Thomas O’Connor has offered an alternative site in a field at the eastern end of the village, in the near vicinity of the local creamery, and within the past few days the proffered plot has been mapped and inspected by an official acting on behalf of the police authorities. There are certain diverse features, however, connected with both sites, which impel me to pen this letter for the purpose of rendering the Garda Authorities cognisant of certain important facts before they make a definite selection.
The site offered by Mr. O’Connor, is situated in close proximity to the local creamery, and during the Summer and Autumn months, as a result of droppings from milk-carts, the atmosphere in the neighbourhood is usually pervaded with a most unpleasant and unhealthy effluvia. So pronounced is this odour during the periods referred to, that Mr. O’Connor, whose premises are adjacent, has repeatedly stated , that unless some steps are taken to remedy or abate the nuisance, he and his family will be obliged to seek a change of residence. Then, the ground on which it is proposed to build a barrack, is extremely low and damp, with an unstable and shifting subsoil of peat and marl on which it would be impossible to erect lasting foundations unless the architect would be prepared to incur the additional expense of building on piles.
Another serious objection to this site as a location for a barrack, arises from the fact that during the milk season, ingress and egress to and from the building, would be rendered extremely difficult by the rows of milk-carts awaiting their turn to enter the creamery yard. From April to November, so great is the traffic at this point, owing to the enormous number of carts converging on and emerging from the creamery yard, that the Garda often experience a difficulty in regulating it.
On the other hand, the site originally selected, which adjoins the local post office, has everything to recommend it, and it is the considered opinion of members of the Athea Towns Improvement Committee, of which body I happen to be Hon. Secretary, that a more ideal place for the erection of a barrack, is not to be found in the village. It stands on rising ground, on a firm and stable surface, in a healthy environment, while its proximity to the river and main sewer would render perfect and thorough sanitation possible. Athea is supplied by water by gravitation, and as the main pipe runs past the suggested site, a copious supply of pure water could easily be installed within the new building. It is important to note also, that this part of the village may be described as its business centre, and it is here – at the eastern end – that most of the business houses, licensed and otherwise, are situated. A Garda barrack erected on this site, would be only about 25 of 30 yards from the Cross, at which point all traffic between the towns of Glin, Abbeyfeale, Listowel and Newcastle West, would be easily under police observation.
Apart from all these considerations, however, there are other factors connected with the claim of this particular site for consideration, which should determine the Police Authorities to accord it approval before all others. The owner, Mr. D. W. Hurley, has been a staunch and consistent supporter of the Government ever since its formation. He has been a strong and influential advocate of its administration, in this area, at a time when it required considerable courage to be so , and when the Garda were first established here , some years ago, it was in a great measure due to the influence which he exercises in the district, that these young officers were able to function. Personally, I hold no brief for Mr. Hurley, nor neither am I imbued with either animus or prejudice against Mr. O’Connor, but speaking on behalf of the principal residents of Athea. I consider it only bare justice to the former, that those who are charged with the selection of a site for the erection of a barrack at Athea, should be placed in possession of the foregoing facts.
Is Mise, Le Meas Mor,
Eamon Ambrose P.C.
Following inspections by the local assistant architect the site offered by Mr. Denis Hurley was deemed to be the most suitable and negotiations got under way for its acquisition. By Oct 17th 1931 several tenders had been received and on Nov 2nd 1931 the Board of Works placed a contract with Mr. G. Downes, Hospital, Knocklong, Co. Limerick for provision of a Garda barracks for Athea.
In January 1932 Tommeen (Jacky) O’Sullivan, Dirreen secured the contract of supplying the stones from Dirreen quarry for the construction of the barrack. (see also Athea Parish Journal 1992-93 p158-9.)
Feb 27th, 1932 – Work was proceeding slowly. Two stone masons were employed and the foundation was laid. Three labourers were also employed at the work.
March 31st 1932 – Good progress was now being made. Five stone masons were employed and the walls were up to five feet.
May 3rd 1932 – Construction proceeding rapidly. Walls completed and ready for roofing.
November 15th 1932 – New Barracks occupied.
Tenure – In Perpetuity.
Maintenance – B.O.W.
List of Gardai who served in Athea from 1924 – 1937. and where transferred from :-
Sergeant John Sheehy from Depot on 11/12/1924.
Sergeant Patrick Mc Kenna from Pallas on 10/10/28.
Sergeant Martin Corley from John St on 23/2/1930.
Sergeant Timothy Walsh from Portmagee on 25/8/1932.
Sergeant Michael C. Clarke from Camp on 28/9/1935.
Gda M. Nally – Depot – 14/6/1923.
Gda Patrick Shanley – Depot – 8/9/1924.
Gda Denis Harrington – ? – 12/9/1924.
Gda Michael McCarthy – ? 27/11/1924.
Gda Michael Rousome – Killaloe – 1926.
Gda Rody Dunne – Ballyneety – 21/2/1927.
Gda Andrew Doyle – Kilmeedy – 14/5/1928.
Gda John J Breen – Newcastle West – 27/6/1928.
Gda Con Tobin – Hospital – 18/10/1928.
Gda William Kilgallon – Ballyfarnon – 9/12/1929.
Gda Cornelius Farrell – O’Briens Bridge – 10/3/1931.
Gda Patrick Daly – Castlegregory – 27/10/1931.
Gda John Bracken – Adare – 23/9/1932.
Gda John P Donovan – Kilmaine 27/10/1932.
Gda Bernard Conlon – Depot – 5/2/1935.
Gda Edward Joe Murray – Depot – 5/6/1935.
Gda John Courtney – Depot – 25/10/1935.
Gda Jeremiah Leahy – Drumcollogher – 9/1/1936.
Gda Thomas Sullivan – Tullaroan – 14/1/1936.
Gda Jeremiah Keaney – Depot – 9/4/1936.
Gda Timothy Linehan – Murroe – 19/2/1937.
______________ Source – Gda Museum, Dublin Castle.
Leave a Reply