Donegal case among released Independence War pension files

The file on a Donegal man killed during the War of Independence was among hundreds released today by the Military Service Pensions Collection (MSPC).

Dominick Canning from Mountcharles was one of those who died between 1919 and 1923. The release also relates to the Civil War.

All fatalities were as a result of gunshot wounds except for one individual who was killed in a landmine explosion in the Civil War.

The list includes one woman who was killed during the War of Independence and two women who were shot dead in the Civil War.

Mr Canning, of Bosco Corner House, Mountcharles, was a draper and a hackney car driver.

He was killed when an IRA man’s gun went off accidently in the car Canning was driving in The Glen, Mountcharles. 

He was transporting an IRA unit on the way to allegedly attack British forces in Belleek, County Fermanagh.

However, the Canning family’s application for a military pension was rejected as he was deemed to have been a civilian, and not a member of any military ogranisation.

The Military Service Pensions originated in a decision of the Oireachtas, in June 1923, to compensate wounded members of the IRA, National Army, Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army, amongst others, along with the dependents of deceased members of these organisations.

It was noted, however, the Canning family also had received compensation of £2,200 in 1924 by the Irish government.

A letter (below) written by his widow, Mrs Susan Agnes Canning, in response to the rejection decision was also published today.

She argued that, while he was not a member of any of the organisations referred to, he was shot while driving a car full of IRA members.