Michael Colbert Explained

Office:Senator
Term Start:7 September 1938
Term End:30 May 1944
Constituency:Agricultural Panel
Office1:Teachta Dála
Term Start1:December 1955
Term End1:March 1957
Constituency1:Limerick West
Term Start2:May 1944
Term End2:February 1948
Term Start3:July 1937
Term End3:June 1938
Constituency3:Limerick
Party:Fianna Fáil
Birth Date:9 July 1899
Birth Place:Athea, County Limerick, Ireland
Death Place:County Limerick, Ireland

Michael Brendan Colbert (9 July 1899[1] – 1 April 1959) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.[2]

Early life and revolutionary period

He was born in the townland of Templeathea, in Athea, County Limerick, to William Colbert, a farmer, and Nora Danaher.[3] During the Irish War of Independence, Colbert served on the brigade staff of West Limerick Brigade, IRA and took part in ambushes and operations against British forces while attached to IRA 'Flying Column' (Active Service Unit).[4] Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Irish Civil War, Colbert took part in engagements against National forces in County Limerick and County Kerry. He was arrested in October 1922, took part in a 15 day hunger strike in November 1923 and was interned until May 1924. Colbert later applied to the Irish government for a service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 and was awarded seven years service in 1935 at Grade C for his service with the IRA between 1 April 1920 and 30 September 1923. [5]

Politics

A farmer and horse breeder, he was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick constituency at the 1937 general election.[6] He lost his seat at the 1938 general election, but was subsequently elected to the 3rd Seanad on the Agricultural Panel. He was re-elected to the Seanad in 1943. He regained his Dáil seat at the 1944 general election but lost it again at the 1948 general election. He was re-elected to the Dáil for the Limerick West constituency at the 1955 by-election caused by the death of David Madden of Fine Gael. He lost his seat at the 1957 general election.[6]

He and James Colbert, a Fianna Fáil TD for the Limerick constituency, were first cousins; and James' brother was Con Colbert.[7]

Notes and References

  1. He was baptised in Athea parish on 10 July 1899.
  2. Web site: Michael Colbert. Oireachtas Members Database. 6 December 2008.
  3. Web site: General Registrar's Office. IrishGenealogy.ie. 1 April 2017.
  4. See Colbert's 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 MSP34REF2450
  5. Irish Military Archives, Military Service (1916-1923) Pension Collection, Michael Colbert, MSP34REF2450. Available online at http://mspcsearch.militaryarchives.ie/search.aspx?formtype=advanced.
  6. Web site: Michael Colbert. ElectionsIreland.org. 6 December 2008.
  7. News: Brother of 1916 leader dies: Mr. Michael Colbert. Irish Press. Dublin. 5. 9 October 1956.