Michael Brennan

Lieutenant-General Michael Brennan (2 February 1896 – 24 October 1986) was an Irish republican who became Chief of Staff of the Irish Defence Forces from October 1931 until January 1940.

Brennan was born in Meelick, County Clare, and joined the Irish Republican Brotherhood in 1911. Two years later, he helped form the Irish Volunteers in Limerick city and soon he was training men in and around Meelick. He took part in preparations for the Easter Rising and spent the next five years in and out of prison and trouble, becoming the first O/C, East Clare Brigade, and later in charge of all three Clare Brigades of the IRA. During the Irish War of Independence, these brigades became the First Western Division.

In May 1920, men under Brennan's command became overcome by fumes when thawing out gelegnite for an attack on Sixmilebridge police barracks. He blamed Ernie O'Malley for failing to warn his men of the dangers involved with such explosives but O'Malley pinned responsibility on Brennan. Brennan recalled how the Auxiliaries nearly captured him three nights in a row later in 1920.