Joseph McGuinness

McGuinness campaign car in Main St Longford, 1917. Centre, with white trim around her hat, is Joseph McGuinness' wife, née Katherine Farrell. With her are three of their nieces. Joseph P. McGuinness (12 April 1875 – 31 May 1922) was an Irish Sinn Féin politician and Member of Parliament (MP) from 1917 until his death in 1922. He is known for winning the 1917 South Longford by-election while serving a prison sentence for his role in the Easter Rising. Michael Collins worked on his by-election campaign.

Early life McGuinness was born on 12 April 1875 in Cloonmore townland, Tarmonbarry, County Roscommon, to Martin McGuinness, farmer, and Rose Farrell.

After a period in the United States, he lived in Longford town after his return from the US in 1902. He became involved in the local branch of Conradh na Gaeilge. He subsequently moved to Dublin, where he ran drapery shops. He also joined the Irish Volunteers, serving as a lieutenant in "C" company, 1st battalion, which was commanded by Ned Daly. His wife, Katherine Farrell, was a member of the central branch of Cumann na mBan.

Political career McGuinness, as a member of the Irish Volunteers, took part in fighting in the Four Courts during the Easter Rising in 1916. According to some reports, he was second-in-command in the Four Courts. After the defeat of the uprising, McGuinness was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude (later reduced to three), and was transferred to HM Prison Lewes with other fighters.

On 3 May 1922 McGuiness was appointed to the so-called "Committee of Ten" established by the Dáil in an effort to stave off the looming civil war. The committee met eleven times but could only report on failure to the Dáil on 11 May.

He was re-elected unopposed at the 1921 general election in the new Longford–Westmeath constituency. He voted in favour of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in January 1922. He died on 31 May 1922. At the 1922 general election, his brother Francis McGuinness was elected for Longford–Westmeath.