Jack McNeela facts for kids
Jack "Sean" McNeela was an important member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA). He was from Ballycroy, County Mayo, Ireland. Jack McNeela is known as one of 22 Irish republicans who died because of a hunger-strike in the 1900s.
When he was young, Jack was a good athlete in County Mayo. He played Gaelic games. He had four brothers and two sisters. His brother Paddy was also active in the IRA. Paddy held a high position in the IRA in Dublin.
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Jack McNeela's Arrests and IRA Roles
Jack McNeela was arrested and jailed many times for his activities with the Irish republican movement. His first arrest was in 1937. This happened when he was part of a protest at a banned event. The event was to remember the 1916 Rising in Castlebar.
McNeela did not accept the authority of the special court, called a military tribunal. He was found guilty of causing a riot and assault. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison. Later that year, McNeela and 11 other IRA members were set free as part of a Christmas pardon.
In 1938, McNeela became a major leader in the IRA. He was put in charge of all IRA forces in England. He helped plan and carry out the IRA's bombing campaign in England from 1939 to 1940. This campaign was called the S-Plan. During this time, there were about 300 explosions. These events caused damage and injuries.
While in London, McNeela was arrested in a car that had materials for making bombs. He received a short sentence of four months in England. This was for being a member of the IRA and other minor offenses.
After his release, he went back to Ireland. In 1939, he became the Director of Publicity for the IRA. This meant he was in charge of sharing information for the group. McNeela helped with a successful raid on the Irish Army's ammunition storage in Phoenix Park, Dublin. The raiders took over a million rounds of ammunition.
At the IRA's main headquarters, McNeela suggested a plan. He wanted to launch attacks from the Irish Free State across the border into Northern Ireland. This idea later became the Border campaign (Irish Republican Army) that happened from 1957 to 1962.
On December 29, 1939, McNeela and others were arrested in south Dublin. They were at a place where an illegal radio transmitter was being used. McNeela and three other IRA men were sent to Mountjoy Jail. They were tried by a military tribunal. They were found guilty of trying to take over a government function. This was because they were running a pro-Irish Republican pirate radio station. McNeela was sentenced to two years in prison.
Leader of IRA Prisoners and Hunger Strike
In February 1940, McNeela was chosen to be the leader of the IRA prisoners in Mountjoy Jail. As the leader, McNeela asked for two IRA prisoners, Nicky Doherty and John Dwyer, to be moved. He wanted them moved from the regular criminal section to the republican area of the prison.
McNeela's request was not granted. So, he and five other republican prisoners started a hunger strike. These prisoners were Tony D'Arcy, Tomás Mac Curtáin, Jack Plunkett, Tommy Grogan, and Michael Traynor.
Around the time of the yearly Easter Rising commemoration, a protest letter was published. This letter criticized the government's actions towards the hunger strikers. It came from relatives of people who took part in the Easter Rising. The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Kathleen Clarke, also signed it. She was the wife of Tom Clarke and sister of Edward Daly. Both men were executed in the 1916 Easter Rising.
Jack McNeela's Death
After seven days of hunger strike, the six strikers were told they would have to go to trial. The hunger strikers refused to go to court. They tried to resist being taken there. McNeela, D'Arcy, and Tom Grogan were badly beaten. McNeela suffered a serious cut on his face. He also had a broken cheek and several broken ribs.
The Irish Free State government did not give in to their demands. Jack McNeela died on April 19, 1940. He had been on hunger strike for 55 days. He was 26 years old. He died in the Military Wing of St Bricin's Military Hospital, Dublin.
His friend and cellmate, Irish republican Tony D'Arcy, had died three days earlier. Tony D'Arcy died on April 16, 1940, after 52 days on hunger strike. He was 32 years old. D'Arcy was serving a three-month sentence. This was for refusing to explain his movements or give his name when arrested.
The IRA responded to the deaths of their members. They attacked Dublin Castle, which was the seat of the Irish Government. In the early morning of April 25, 1940, a large mine exploded in the Lower Castle Yard. This area housed the Detective Division. Five detectives were injured. Windows were blown out in the Chapel Royal and State Apartments.
Jack "Sean" McNeela is remembered at the republican plot in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina, County Mayo. He was buried in his family plot in Claggan (St Fintany's) Graveyard, Ballycroy, Co Mayo.
Images for kids
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Memorial to 22 Hunger Strikers
