15 Facts About Thomas Derrig

Thomas Derrig was an Irish Fianna Fail politician who served as Minister for Lands from 1939 to 1943 and 1951 to 1954, Minister for Education from 1932 to 1939 and 1940 to 1948 and Minister for Posts and Telegraphs in September 1939.

Thomas Derrig served as a Teachta Dala from 1921 to 1923 and 1927 to 1957.

Derrig was born on 26 November 1897, in Westport, County Mayo, the son of Patrick Derrig and Winifred Derrig.

Thomas Derrig was educated locally and later at University College Galway.

Thomas Derrig did not take part in the 1916 Easter Rising but was arrested in the aftermath.

Thomas Derrig was imprisoned in Woking, Wormwood Scrubs and Frongoch internment camp.

Thomas Derrig was arrested in July 1918, and was accused of attempting to disarm a soldier.

Thomas Derrig was sentenced to five months imprisonment by a court in Belfast.

Thomas Derrig escaped from Dublin on 30 June 1922 and served as Adjutant to Ernest O'Malley during fighting in counties Wicklow and Wexford in July and August.

Thomas Derrig was appointed IRA Adjutant General by Liam Lynch in November 1922 and was serving in that position when arrested by National Forces on 6 April 1923.

On that same date, while in custody of the Criminal Investigation Department in Oriel House, Thomas Derrig was shot in the face by a CID detective and lost his left eye.

Thomas Derrig was interned at Kilmainham Gaol and was a leader there during the 1923 Irish hunger strikes Thomas Derrig was later awarded a wound pension under the Army Pensions Act, 1932 for the gunshot wound he received while in custody.

In Eamon de Valera's first government in 1932 Thomas Derrig was appointed Minister for Education.

Thomas Derrig was re-appointed to Education in 1943 until 1948.

Thomas Derrig died in Dublin on 19 November 1956, seven days before his 59th birthday.