An Cosantóir

| 27 www.military.ie THE DEFENCE FORCES MAGAZINE been too ill to report for duty. Joseph Maguire of Balscadden denied deserting when caught and stated he had been too ill to return to the army after leaving. Pat O'Shea of Rath had undergone an operation for appendicitis. He said he was "not feeling well enough" to return to service. Denis McCarthy of Main Street Bagenalstown stated how: "I was suffering from neuritis" and got a 12-month exemption but was arrested two weeks after at his home. "I am not a deserter, but an absentee", he declared in court. Other reasons for desertion were personal life crises, such as Private James Barrett of Athlone, who was accused of having not reported for a call-up of reservists (having been a member of the old IRA and subsequently joined the National Army). On the day he was to report for service, his wife had given birth to twins who, shortly after, had sadly died. His wife had also entered a nervous breakdown because of this. Despite the acute personal circumstances, Private Barrett was still handed over to a military escort. Richard Cleary, residing at Emly, Co. Tipperary, was captured as a deserter. When brought before a local courthouse before being handed over to military authorities, he stated he had deserted because he was "suffering from a serious disease" and his wife and child were helpless. They were "on the side of the road" with nowhere to go.[ix] Thomas Kelly of Levitstown, Co. Kildare stated he had "trouble at home" and could not return to the army. A common excuse of those dragged into the courts over being a deserter was those who claimed they were needed at home for the harvest. Edward Farrelly of Trim stated he had "some land and was looking after the crops". Private Dermot Buckley was asked in the courthouse why he wanted to get out of the army, to which he replied, because "my brother would not look after the farm for me". His defence solicitor exclaimed in court that "butter was as important as guns". I "just took a notion" replied Private Michael Dolan of Barnaderg, Co. Galway when asked by the Justice as to why he did not report for duty. The lack of granting of leave to see loved ones and family members was a recurring issue, with soldiers absenting themselves if not granted. Private Owen Boylan of Durhamstown, Co. Meath, as early as October 1939, is one example. Having his weekend leave refused to bring his wife home (who he claimed had no money for a fare), stated in court how he "walked out the gate in full uniform, went home with my wife and have been absent since". Matthew McCabe of Walshetown, Ballymurphy was brought before his local courthouse for desertion. He stated that he had been given three months' leave and was awaiting to be recalled (the truthfulness of this statement was not questioned). The local Garda sergeant, however, chimed in with more pertinent details in that Matthew had recently got married, inferring that he would rather stay at home with his new wife than return to military service. Thomas Walsh of Cabra, Dublin, alongside a group of young members of the Construction Corps absented themselves because they were "homesick". Thomas had robbed a bicycle on route home but did not cycle all the way home for "his mother would be vexed". Michael Mulvihill had deserted to look after his mother, who was sick and "had none but him". Three young men appeared in court, all from the Carraroe district of Spiddal in Co. Galway. One had stated he had recently gotten married, overstayed his welcome, and "re-volunteered" in court. One of the men, interestingly, could not be identified and spoke no words in court. The garda who arrested him was unsure it was him, and the Army officer did not recognise him. Thomas Gallagher of Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, absented himself on Christmas Day and stole a bike on his way home but was picked up by Guards in LeCarrow, Co. Roscommon. He stated that he "wanted to go home to see" his "wife", who he claimed was sick. An exciting back- and-forth erupted between Private Gallagher and the Military Officer sent to court. Gallagher admitted to being in the British Army before. Lt Herbert declared that he deserted to "join the British Army". Private Gallagher replied, "You're mistaken, Lt Herbert, they tried to prove that at the court-martial, and they failed". Private Gallagher had been confined to barracks over the Christmas break after his detention for attempted desertion had ended. Private Dominick Farrell of the 2nd Infantry Battalion, Dublin, was slightly different; however, while being

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