Thomas Hunter (Irish politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Hunter
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| Teachta Dála | |
| In office May 1921 – June 1922 |
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| Constituency | Cork East and North East |
| In office December 1918 – May 1921 |
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| Constituency | Cork North East |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 November 1883 Castletownroche, County Cork, Ireland |
| Died | 11 March 1932 (aged 48) Glanworth, County Cork |
| Political party | Sinn Féin |
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| Military service | |
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| Years of service |
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| Commands | 2nd Battalion |
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Thomas Cornelius Hunter (born November 10, 1883 – died March 11, 1932) was an important Irish freedom fighter. He was a member of several groups working for Ireland's independence. These included the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB), Sinn Féin, and the Irish Volunteers.
Thomas Hunter was elected twice to the Irish parliament, called Dáil Éireann. He also fought against the forces of the Irish Free State as part of the Irish Republican Army during the Irish Civil War. He was involved in many key events during Ireland's fight to become independent from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Thomas Hunter was born in 1883 in a village called Castletownroche in County Cork, Ireland. His father, Con Hunter, was a baker. His mother was Ellen (née Hayes).
In 1907, Thomas moved to Dublin. There, he started training to become a draper, which is someone who sells cloth. He soon joined Conradh na Gaeilge, a group that promoted the Irish language. Here, he met and was inspired by Thomas Clarke, a well-known Irish republican. Thomas Hunter became close friends with Conn Colbert and W. T. Cosgrave.
Joining the Fight for Ireland
Thomas Hunter quickly became involved with the Irish Republican Brotherhood (IRB). By 1910, he was a member of a secret group within the IRB. This group focused on getting small weapons. Between 1911 and 1912, Hunter became the leader of his group.
As a leader, he often visited other groups. He would give talks about military tactics. He did this often with his friend, Con Colbert. Hunter remained a leader in his group until the Easter Rising in 1916.
When the Irish Volunteers group was created in November 1913, Hunter was made a Vice-Commandant. He served under Thomas MacDonagh in the 2nd Battalion in Dublin. Hunter was a good soldier. He would take on different leadership roles as needed. The men he commanded liked and respected him.
Gun-Running Adventures
On July 26, 1914, Hunter's battalion was ordered to march to Howth. They were going to help bring in 900 rifles and ammunition. These weapons were being brought by Erskine Childers on his yacht, the Asgard. Hunter helped collect and safely store these rifles. This task fit his experience in getting and distributing weapons for the IRB.
On August 1, 1914, Hunter and his friend Peadar Clancy took part in another gun-running event. This happened in Kilcoole, County Wicklow. They helped bring in 600 more rifles and ammunition.
The Volunteer Split
In September 1914, the Irish Volunteers split into two groups. This happened because of John Redmond, a political leader. Many Volunteers followed Redmond and joined the British military in The Great War.
This split pushed Hunter further into the top ranks of the IRB. He was appointed to the IRB Supreme Council, a very important leadership group. The Volunteers who remained were very dedicated. They trusted their leaders, like Thomas Hunter.
The Easter Rising
In late 1915, the IRB Military Council secretly decided to start a rebellion on Easter Sunday. This plan was kept secret from most people, including the leader of the Irish Volunteers, Eoin MacNeill.
Before the Rising, there was a meeting between James Connolly, leader of the Irish Citizens Army, and IRB leaders. Connolly joined the IRB and agreed to their plans. Thomas Hunter was seen at important meetings in Dublin in January 1916. Many future Irish leaders were at these meetings.
By St. Patrick's Day 1916, Thomas Hunter was in charge of the 2nd Battalion. The Easter Rising was planned for noon on Easter Sunday. Most Volunteers did not know the full plan. They thought they were just doing drills.
However, the secret got out. Bulmer Hobson learned about the plan and told Eoin MacNeill. MacNeill then sent orders to stop the Rising across Ireland. Hunter was involved in trying to stop Hobson from causing more confusion. These counter-orders caused chaos. Only the Dublin Volunteers rose up in a big way.
On Easter Monday, Hunter was busy organizing the Volunteers in Dublin. He sent messengers to tell them to get ready. Later that morning, he arrived at St Stephen's Green. He helped organize the companies of Volunteers there.
Around noon, the 2nd Battalion marched to the Jacob's Biscuit Factory. This was a large building near Dublin Castle, the center of British rule. They took over the factory and made it a strong defensive position. Hunter and a small group were sent to hold an outpost. Later, they were called back to the main factory.
The Volunteers at Jacob's Factory kept British forces from entering the city from their area. They also sent groups to help other garrisons fighting nearby. On Friday, the main group at the GPO surrendered. The remaining fighters were ordered to surrender the following Sunday.
After the Rising, Thomas Hunter was sentenced to death. However, this was changed to life in prison.
In 1917, Hunter was recognized as a commanding officer by other prisoners at Lewes prison. On May 28, 1917, he, along with Éamon de Valera and Thomas Ashe, led a hunger strike. They demanded to be treated as prisoners of war, not regular criminals. This led to their release by June 18, 1917.
The War of Independence
On May 17, 1918, Hunter was arrested again. This time, it was during something called the "German Plot". This was a British claim that Sinn Féin leaders were working with Germany. While in prison, he became sick with the flu. He was treated in a hospital until March 1919.
In late 1919, Hunter introduced two important figures, Dan Breen and Liam Lynch. Both were hiding from the British authorities.
By March 1920, Hunter and his friend Peadar Clancy had opened a clothing business in Dublin. Hunter was arrested again for being involved in the theft of documents. While in Mountjoy Prison, Hunter and others started a hunger strike on April 5. They demanded to be treated as prisoners of war.
News of these hunger strikes caused large protests in Dublin. On April 14, 1920, all hunger-striking prisoners were released. Hunter was taken to a hospital. From this time on, his health slowly got worse.
In October 1920, British troops attacked Hunter & Clancy's business. It was badly damaged.
A Voice in Parliament
In December 1918, Thomas Hunter was elected as a MP for Cork North East. He was a member of Sinn Féin. Sinn Féin MPs refused to go to the British Parliament in Westminster. Instead, they met in Dublin to form their own Irish parliament, Dáil Éireann. Hunter could not attend at first because he was still in prison.
In May 1921, Hunter was elected again. This time, he became a Teachta Dála (TD) for Cork East and North East. He was elected without anyone running against him.
Speaking Out Against the Treaty
During debates in the Dáil about the Anglo-Irish Treaty, Hunter spoke against it. This treaty would have created the Irish Free State but kept a link to the British King.
He said he was a republican and had been elected to support a republican government. He believed in a fully independent Ireland. He did not want to recognize the British King.
At the 1922 general election, Hunter ran again. He was against the Treaty, but he did not win a seat this time.
The Irish Civil War
Thomas Hunter fought on the side that was against the Anglo-Irish Treaty during the Irish Civil War. He served as a Quartermaster for the Cork No. 2 Brigade. This meant he was in charge of supplies.
Later Life and Legacy
Thomas Hunter passed away on March 11, 1932, at his farm in Glanworth, County Cork. He died from heart disease after a long illness. Many believed his heart condition was caused by his hunger strikes.
He was survived by his wife, Maire, and their only child, Conchubhair (Con) Colbert Hunter.
A part of the N72 road near his hometown of Castletownroche is named "Commandant Tom Hunter Park" in his honor.
