Thomas Traynor

Thomas Traynor (27 May 1882 – 25 April 1921) was a member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA) hanged in Mountjoy Prison during the Irish War of Independence.

Background Traynor was born on 27 May 1882 in Tullow, County Carlow, Ireland, and was 38 at the time of his death. At the time of his death the eldest was 18 years and the youngest 5 months.

Capture and execution Traynor was captured during an ambush on Auxiliaries in Brunswick Street, Dublin, on 14 March 1921, and tried on 5 April at City Hall. Traynor was reportedly badly beaten by members of the Igoe Gang before his hanging.

On the day following his death, Gilbert Potter, a Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) District Inspector based in Cahir, County Tipperary, and being held for Traynor's safe treatment was executed in reprisal by members of the Third Tipperary Brigade. Another IRA volunteer, John Donnelly, captured with Traynor was sentenced to death but later reprieved by David Lloyd George following the truce in June 1921.

Remembered in popular culture In 1965 a statue was erected to Traynor in his native town of Tullow. The Ballad of Thomas Traynor was written in his memory.