James Collins (Irish politician)

James John Collins (30 October 1900 – 1 September 1967) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick West constituency from 1948 to 1967.^[1]

He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1915. During the Irish War of Independence, Collins took part in several attacks and operations against British forces. He served as Brigade Adjutant, West Limerick Brigade, IRA and Column Commander of the brigade's 2nd Battalion Active Service Unit (ASU).^[2] After the Anglo-Irish Treaty, he was Officer Commanding of the IRA garrison occupying Newcastle West RIC barracks and fought on the anti-treaty side in the Irish Civil War. He was arrested in September 1922 but escaped from custody after one week, was recaptured in December 1922 but escaped again in March 1923. Collins was 'on the run' until May 1924. Collins later applied to the Irish government for a service pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934 and was awarded 7 and 7/12 years service in 1935 at Grade C for his service with the Irish Volunteers and the IRA between 1 April 1918 and 30 September 1923.^[3]

On the cessation of hostilities, he worked as a farmer and a rate collector for Limerick County Council. He was a founder member of Fianna Fáil.^[4] He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Limerick West constituency at the 1948 general election and re-elected at each election until his death in 1967.^[5] He was succeeded in the by-election of November 1967, by his son Gerry Collins. Another son, Michael J. Collins was later elected for the same constituency. His grandson Niall Collins, has served as a TD for Limerick County since 2011.

• Families in the Oireachtas