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[1950’s] TS. memorandum from Cumann Oglaigh na h-Eireann (1916) (Irish Volunteers 1916 Association). Concerns grievances of the men of 1 st Cork Brigade (1916) in their dealings with Military Service Boards. Notes that various Ministers for Defence have been asked to give consideration on claims of Cork Volunteers, but only those who received a military service certificate were entitled to a 1916 Service Medal. Describes the activities of the Cork Volunteers on Easter Sunday 1916 and states ‘IT WAS NOT THE FAULT OF THE MEN OF CORK that they did not fight’. Notes that the Black and Tan Medal is available to those failing to qualify for a military service certificate. (Reverse print copy). 1p February 1957 TS. letter from Frank Casey and Peter Nolan, joint Honorary Secretaries, Comhnaidhm Oglaigh na h-Eireann 1916 – 21 (Federation of IRA), 196 Sraid na Piarsaigh, Baile Atha Cliath (Pearse Street, Dublin), to Editor, ‘Longford Leader’ newspaper in reply to recent article ‘IRA frauds on public funds’. Concerns alleged fraud in the granting of Military Service Pensions. Requests that the newspaper give equal prominence to a refutation of the charges made. Charges include, that over 30,000 medals were fraudulently obtained and that thousands are in receipt of public money for which they are not entitled. Describes these charges as ‘nonsensical’ and explains that the Federation of Old IRA has been in ‘constant consultation’ with the Minister for Defence. Concerning the numbers of medal holders, it is noted that many of these were ’without bar’, which carries no pension rights and therefore may have been issued ‘somewhat carelessly…but to suggest that the number …runs into thousands is absurd’. Notes that a special allowance pension is payable to those who are aged and destitute with a medal without bar, but that these are subject to the same scrutiny as a pension. Continues that the two Acts of the Dail in 1924 and 1934 granted pensions to those on active service between 1916 and 1922, but ‘Neither of these Acts was anticipated much less asked for by the IRA’. Expresses shock that a reputable Irish paper should ‘lend itself to a campaign of calumny’. 2pp
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