Reynolds Pension Application - File Ref - MSP34REF24362
During the War of Independence (January 1919 – July 1921), Brigid Martin (née Foley) (MSP34REF64289) states in a reference letter that she visited her unnamed husband when he was a prisoner in Dublin Castle. She says that she met Reynolds who “was most friendly” and found from “subsequent conversations” that he would be “willing to disclose information that would be valuable for military purposes”. As such, she arranged a meeting at her office in College Green between Reynolds and IRA General Headquarters (GHQ) Intelligence agent Frank Thornton (24SP1302). Several references on file state that the subject began to provide information to IRA GHQ intelligence officers Frank Thornton, Liam Tobin (24SP2764) and Patrick Kennedy (MSP34REF1549) from late July 1920 onwards.
This information included details on the movements and strength of the British army; the movements and identities of British intelligence officers/ secret service agents; the home addresses of Auxiliary officers and British intelligence agents and photographs (both group and singular) of British intelligence agents for identification purposes. Frank Thornton says in a letter (14 October 1937) that the applicant’s information led to a “number” of the Auxiliary “murder gang” being “executed”. It is also stated on file that Reynolds procured a small quantity of revolvers and ammunition for the IRA and procured codes which were used to decipher military and intelligence documents and letters. There is some debate on file as to the amount of payment that Reynolds received from IRA GHQ. In his application form, he says that he received “£6 per month in expenses” while Frank Thornton claimed in evidence (16 May 1938) that he was paid a “couple of pounds per week”.
Gearoid O’Sullivan gave evidence (02 December 1939) that he felt that “anything” that the “applicant did for the Volunteers was only for reward”. Under the direction of Frank Thornton, the subject applied for promotion and was transferred in March 1921 to G Company, Auxiliary Division, which was based first in Killaloe, County Clare and then Corofin, County Clare. Reference JJ O’Connell (24SP12702) states that the subject was present at a large scale IRA ambush of British forces in Kilrush, County Clare [April 1921]. He relates a story from Patrick Kelly (IRA Brigade Transport Officer) that Kelly “walked into Reynolds” and figured he was caught but Reynolds, “instead of firing”, told him to “hop it quick” and gave him time to make his getaway and sound the alarm. During his time in County Clare, Reynolds passed on intelligence and a small amount of arms to IRA officers David J Reynolds (24SP6024), Michael Brennan (24SP9375) and Dr McNamara, Corofin. For significant matters (such as police codes and British troop movements), he says that he still reported directly to IRA GHQ in Dublin.
In about November 1921 during the Truce period, it is stated on file that Reynolds was involved in a plan to smuggle out Lewis guns and rifles from Corofin Barracks, County Clare to two local IRA men (one named Hare/Hehir). Following the arrest of these men, the applicant says that they were beaten and the subject’s name was found in a note in one of their pockets. Reynolds was arrested, court martialed and sentenced to death. Applicant states that he was supported by IRA GHQ and defended at trial in Corofin by solicitor named Lynch (later State Solicitor for Ennis) and by barrister Tom Wall. It is stated on file that the sentencing was deferred due to the Truce and the applicant was released from custody in January 1922 after the signing of the Treaty.
John Charles Reynolds claims that he went into Beggars Bush Barracks, Dublin and was then appointed Divisional Director of Training, 1 Western Division, National Army at the rank of Colonel Commandant. Under the command of Michael Brennan, he says that he ran a cadet school to train officers for six weeks in Ennis, County Clare. He was then transferred to Renmore Barracks, County Galway as O/C with his training staff. At the time of the IRA split (March 1922), Reynolds claims that he was visited by Liam Mellows (DP10200) and also met Frank Barrett (2RB513). He then made a follow up visit to Liam Mewllows in the Four Courts, Dublin and agreed to handover Renmore Barracks to Thomas “Baby” Duggan (DP7072). Subject left the National Army around this time. Taking the anti Treaty side in the Civil War, John Charles Reynolds states that he reported to the IRA garrison at Barry’s Hotel, Dublin to see Maurice Brennan (MSP34REF14742) and was given dispatches (mobilsation orders) which he delivered to an individual employed at Monasterevin Railway Station, County Longford and a shop on Main Street, Longford town.
Subject states that he was engaged in intelligence work under the command of Phil Leddy (MSP34REF20889) (Brigade Adjutant, Dublin Brigade). Although he says that he reported to Leddy every day, he does not appear to have done any significant work. Liddy gave evidence (on 30 June 1939) that he “did not trust [Reynolds] and took no notice of anything that [he] said … on account of his previous record of betrayal”. In November 1922, Reynolds states that he travelled out to Howth to visit Matthew McDonnell (MSP34REF21416) and Thomas Long in the “Dal Riada” Hotel. Both men had lost legs while fighting in the defence of the Four Courts and the subject claims that he was to bring them to a location to have artificial limbs fitted. After speaking to the pair for about “one minute”, Reynolds states that he was arrested by National forces and detained in Griffith Barracks and Wellington Barracks for 3-4 weeks. Thomas Long corroborated (12 July 1939) that Reynolds did come out to Howth in a car to bring Long and McDonnell out “for a day trip for reason of health” but claims that Reynolds was only detained for a day or two and not a period of weeks. Subject claims that he was engaged on IRA intelligence work until the ceasefire (May 1923) but gives no specific details.
He was not awarded service for 01 April 1923 to 30 September 1923 period and was only given 4/9 service for 01 July 1922 to 31 March 1923 period. When asked by the Advisory Committee whether National Army officers Frank Thornton and Liam Tobin (former IRA GHQ officers) were on his trail in the period, he said “they did not find me anywhere”. The last correspondence from John Charles Reynolds is dated 12 March 1940. He was awarded a military service pension on 16 December 1942. An envelope addressed to him at 94 Harcourt Street, was returned on 17 December 1942 marked “gone away”. Internal handwritten correspondence records that Frank Thornton thought the subject “joined [the] British army and was killed in fighting” [during the Second World War]. A note dated 11 February 1943 says that Thornton agreed that he would try to get “verification” and will make “further inquiries”. A further service certificate addressed to John C Reynolds, 94 Harcourt Street was returned “undelivered” in April 1943. File includes a typed transcript of sworn statement and summary given before the Advisory Committee by the applicant on 14 October 1937 and references in support of the subject’s claim from Frank Thornton (1933; 1937); Dan Breen TD [1937; 1940]; David J Reynolds (1937); Patrick Kennedy (1937); Liam Tobin (1937); Maurice Brennan (1937); Philip Leddy (1937); Colonel JJ O’Connell (1937 x2); Mrs Brigid Martin (née Foley) (1940) and David Neligan (1940). File also contains handwritten notes of discussion with IRA verifying officers Oscar Traynor TD (31 January 1939); Major General [Michael] Brennan (who called him a “chancer”) (15 November 1937; 01 November 1938); Sergeant [Sean] Moroney and Patrick Houlihan (19 November 1937); Frank Thornton (16 May 1938); Captain Joseph Barrett and Mr E Waldron (03 November 1938); Joseph Stanford (08-09 November 1938); Liam Tobin (07 February 1939); Maurice Brennan (29 June 1939); Philip Leddy (30 June 1939); Thomas Long (12 July 1939) and Gearoid O’Sullivan (02 December 1939). File also includes two contemporary documents from March 1922 – a handwritten letter from M O Regaín O/C, IRA Barracks, Loughrea [County Galway] dated 09 March 1922 stating that the bearers of this note are ex [British] soldiers who were detained in Loughrea Barracks for three days but were found to be “alright”. It continued “they are passing onto Ennis. One of them, the bearer, is a native of there” Three names are written on the back– George Mines, Wm Wilkinson and George Chidley. File also contains a typed letter from Colonel Commandant DJ Reynolds (Divisional Vice Commandant) to Colonel Commandant Sean Reynolds (O/C Renmore Barracks, County Galway) dated 13 March 1922 stating that the three British army deserters (Mines, Wilkinson and Childey) reported to Renmore Barracks looking to obtain positions as Battalion Cooks “(two of them had previous experience in this capacity”). The letter informed Reynolds that the three men were being sent to him for “duty, pay, rations and discipline” and the writer asked Reynolds to “please keep their actions and movements under close observation”. Colonel JJ O’Connell wrote on 18 October 1937 that the subject helped him with historical information: “I should, perhaps, add that quite recently he has from the historical point of view, been most helpful to myself. He has given me quite a great store of information re: the organisation and operating of the Auxiliary Division RIC. He further, at my request, … put me in touch with the late General Crozier when the latter was in Ireland last Easter in order to enable me to get further information on these matters”. File LBP96 contains one page which says that a Lost British Pension application form was issued to “Sean Reynolds”, 77 Merrion Square, Dublin on 12 October 1934.