Eamon Broy was born in Ballinure, Rathangan on 22nd December 1887. His parents were Patrick Broy, a native of Ballinure and a farmer, and Mary Broy (nee Berry), a native of Clonbrock, Bracknagh. There were ten children in the family, at least two of whom, Margaret and John, attended St Patrick’s NS Clonbullogue.
He attended Rathangan National School, where he was taught by Mr Joseph Byrne and Mr Considine. Mr Byrne was a very learned man, who taught his pupils a broad curriculum, including modern languages. Mr Considine was an ardent nationalist. Both of these teachers influenced Eamon, as did George Hanks, the owner of the Sally Mills in Rathangan who was a Protestant nationalist and supporter of Thomas Davis. |
As a young man Eamon was very interested in athletics, and it is probable that this influenced his decision to join the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) in 1911, as members of the DMP were famous for their athletics prowess at that time. He was also influenced by the advice of the local priest, Fr Kennedy. He was appointed to the ‘E’ division first, and then in March 1915 to the ‘G’ division.
Broy was attached to the political section of the ‘G’ division, whose task it was to monitor the movements of nationalists. They had offices in Great Brunswick Street and Dublin Castle. In March of 1917 Eamon Broy met Micheal Collins and began passing information from the ‘G’ division to Collins. Among the most famous incidences of him helping Collins is the ‘Great Brunswick Street Break In’, when Broy smuggled Collins into the headquarters of the ‘G’ division one night.
Eamon Broy was arrested on the 17th February 1921 and later charged with high treason. He was lucky that the Truce between the British and Irish was agreed soon afterwards, and Collins demanded his release as part of the Treaty negotiations.
Broy acted as a bodyguard for Michael Collins during the Treaty negotiations in London. Although he supported the Treaty side he was not actively involved in the Civil War that followed independence. In 1922 he was appointed by Collins as adjutant of the first Irish Air Corps, which gave him the title of Colonel. Tradition records that he was flown to Ballinure, landing in a field across from Coolegagen cemetery.
Eamon Broy joined the newly formed Garda Siochána in 1925, with the rank of Chief Superintendent, and later Commandant. Eamon De Valera appointed him Commissioner of the guards in 1933. He is famously, if controversially, associated with the ‘Broy Harriers’ ( a Special Branch force of An Garda Siochána). He retired as Commissioner in 1938.
Broy was attached to the political section of the ‘G’ division, whose task it was to monitor the movements of nationalists. They had offices in Great Brunswick Street and Dublin Castle. In March of 1917 Eamon Broy met Micheal Collins and began passing information from the ‘G’ division to Collins. Among the most famous incidences of him helping Collins is the ‘Great Brunswick Street Break In’, when Broy smuggled Collins into the headquarters of the ‘G’ division one night.
Eamon Broy was arrested on the 17th February 1921 and later charged with high treason. He was lucky that the Truce between the British and Irish was agreed soon afterwards, and Collins demanded his release as part of the Treaty negotiations.
Broy acted as a bodyguard for Michael Collins during the Treaty negotiations in London. Although he supported the Treaty side he was not actively involved in the Civil War that followed independence. In 1922 he was appointed by Collins as adjutant of the first Irish Air Corps, which gave him the title of Colonel. Tradition records that he was flown to Ballinure, landing in a field across from Coolegagen cemetery.
Eamon Broy joined the newly formed Garda Siochána in 1925, with the rank of Chief Superintendent, and later Commandant. Eamon De Valera appointed him Commissioner of the guards in 1933. He is famously, if controversially, associated with the ‘Broy Harriers’ ( a Special Branch force of An Garda Siochána). He retired as Commissioner in 1938.
Eamon Broy served as president of the Irish Olympic Council from 1935-1950. His tenure included both the Berlin (1936) and London Games (1948).
He died in Rathgar in Dublin in 22nd January 1972, having been pre-deceased by his wife Elizabeth in 1958. He is buried in Coolegagen Cemetery, Clonbullogue. On the 17th of September 2016 a memorial to Colonel Eamon Broy was unveiled in Coolegagen Cemetery. His daughter Áine was in attendance, as were representatives of the government, the Air Corps, and An Garda Síochana. |
Source: 5th/6th class project, 2014 / Leaflet produced by memorial committee, September 2016