James Christopher Branigan
Encyclopedia
James Christopher Branigan, better known as Lugs Branigan or Jim Branigan (6 January 1910 - 22 May 1986) was a well-known member of the Garda Síochána
. as well as an Irish Boxer, Boxing referee and to some, a folk and urban legend. Born in No.1 James Street, Dublin which was part of Saint Kevin's Hospital (South Dublin union) in 1910, James Branigan was a well-known figure in Dublin, both for his interest and participation in the boxing scene, but also due to his long career with An Garda Síochána.
, where he was bullied. On completing his apprenticeship, he left.
' where one person died. James sometimes acted as an unofficial social worker, as he was close to people on his beat. He was promoted to detective Garda in July 1958 and Garda sergeant in December 1963 and put in charge of a mobile riot squad unit, which he remained active with until his retirement. He became well known after he took charge of this unit, the so-called Prevention and Detection of Street Nuisances Unit, also known as 'Brano Five Team', who were called out to any trouble spots in Dublin. This unit became well known around the night spots of Dublin, such as dance halls and cinemas, where 'tough justice' was melted out to any transgressors.
James Branigan, who headed up the unit until its disbandment in 1973, had the respect of both the community and judiciary, the now Sergeant Branigan becoming a well known figure in Dublin during the 1960s. Stories of mistreatment, rough or tough justice surrounded Garda Branigan and his squad, the sight of his Bedford van, was feared on Dublin's late nights streets. His individual heavy handedness, strength and fearlessness drew much attention to Sergeant Branigan, his personal notoriety growing over the years. He believed his outspoken personality had been held against him by senior Gardaí, preventing his further promotion. An oft repeated story, has Detective Branigan giving culprits either the choice of a 'box to the face' or a day in court. Commenting in court after one notorious incident when a criminal bit him on the bottom during an arrest, he said:
Detective Branigan in his day enjoyed the respect of the community, the bench and those he prosecuted and sometimes he was appointed as a bodyguard to visiting celebrities. Soon after he retired in 1973, after more than 40 years service, the squad was broken up due it's then national notoriety. In later life, he became a door man at various night spots in Dublin before retiring to Summerhill in Meath before passing away in 1986. In more recent times, there has been a increased interest and nostalgia about the activities of his squad, with a senior High Court Judge, Mr Justice Paul Carney
, claiming in 2009 that the heavy-handed detectives like Garda James "Lugs" Branigan, were required in today's Dublin to deter crime. Mr. Carney said said of Detective Branigan:
Senator David Norris, a civil rights
campaigner and longtime member of Seanad Éireann
(the Irish Senate) said in the senate chamber in 1993 that:
On the 28th of January 2009, RTÉ Radio 1
's Liveline
, programme, a popular talk programme, featured callers reminiscing about Detective Branigan and his activities as a Garda in Dublin.
The origin of his nickname 'Lugs' is disputed. While a keen boxer, he achieved his nickname 'Lugs' early in life due to his Cauliflower ear
s, a condition most common among amateur wrestlers
, rugby players
, mixed martial artists
and grapplers, it is said he got the name because of his ears by a Dublin criminal in the 1940s - a nickname he disliked.
heavyweight title. In 1938 he fought for the Ireland international boxing team in Germany. He retired from boxing in 1939, though he became a referee. He sparred with younger boxers and weight-trained well into his sixties.
He spent most of his retirement in Summerhill, County Meath
, breeding budgerigars and growing crops. He died there on 22 May 1986.
Garda Síochána
, more commonly referred to as the Gardaí , is the police force of Ireland. The service is headed by the Commissioner who is appointed by the Irish Government. Its headquarters are located in the Phoenix Park in Dublin.- Terminology :...
. as well as an Irish Boxer, Boxing referee and to some, a folk and urban legend. Born in No.1 James Street, Dublin which was part of Saint Kevin's Hospital (South Dublin union) in 1910, James Branigan was a well-known figure in Dublin, both for his interest and participation in the boxing scene, but also due to his long career with An Garda Síochána.
Early life
He was born to John Alick Branigan, an official of South Dublin Union, and Ellen Branigan (née Kavanagh). James witnessed the shooting of a British soldier during the 1916 Rising - the area they lived in saw heavy fighting. It is now part of Ushers Quay. He was educated at Basin Lane Convent and James' Street Christian Brothers School.Railway Apprenticeship
James left school at 14 to become an apprentice fitter on Great Southern RailwaysGreat Southern Railways
The Great Southern Railways Company was an Irish company that from 1925 until 1945 owned and operated all railways that lay wholly within the Irish Free State .-Formation:...
, where he was bullied. On completing his apprenticeship, he left.
Gardaí
He joined the Gardaí in June 1931 and took up physical exercise after barely passing physical requirements. James was stationed in Kevin Street in 1936 and was known for using physical force against petty criminals, which he admitted to doing to avoid excessive paperwork. Upon joining the police force, Garda Branigan distinguished himself during violent disturbances during the 'wild' forties in Dublin and became well known after a violent riot which subsequently became known as the 'Battle of BaldoyleBaldoyle
Baldoyle is a small coastal area on the northside of Dublin, Ireland. It is in the part of the historic County Dublin now administered as Fingal.-Location and Access:...
' where one person died. James sometimes acted as an unofficial social worker, as he was close to people on his beat. He was promoted to detective Garda in July 1958 and Garda sergeant in December 1963 and put in charge of a mobile riot squad unit, which he remained active with until his retirement. He became well known after he took charge of this unit, the so-called Prevention and Detection of Street Nuisances Unit, also known as 'Brano Five Team', who were called out to any trouble spots in Dublin. This unit became well known around the night spots of Dublin, such as dance halls and cinemas, where 'tough justice' was melted out to any transgressors.
James Branigan, who headed up the unit until its disbandment in 1973, had the respect of both the community and judiciary, the now Sergeant Branigan becoming a well known figure in Dublin during the 1960s. Stories of mistreatment, rough or tough justice surrounded Garda Branigan and his squad, the sight of his Bedford van, was feared on Dublin's late nights streets. His individual heavy handedness, strength and fearlessness drew much attention to Sergeant Branigan, his personal notoriety growing over the years. He believed his outspoken personality had been held against him by senior Gardaí, preventing his further promotion. An oft repeated story, has Detective Branigan giving culprits either the choice of a 'box to the face' or a day in court. Commenting in court after one notorious incident when a criminal bit him on the bottom during an arrest, he said:
"He was worse than the Balubas. At least they cook you first."
Detective Branigan in his day enjoyed the respect of the community, the bench and those he prosecuted and sometimes he was appointed as a bodyguard to visiting celebrities. Soon after he retired in 1973, after more than 40 years service, the squad was broken up due it's then national notoriety. In later life, he became a door man at various night spots in Dublin before retiring to Summerhill in Meath before passing away in 1986. In more recent times, there has been a increased interest and nostalgia about the activities of his squad, with a senior High Court Judge, Mr Justice Paul Carney
Paul Carney
Paul Carney is a judge in the Irish High Court and the presiding judge of the Central Criminal Court. He is regarded as a leading expert on Irish criminal law and has presided over murder and rape trials since his appointment to the High Court in 1991...
, claiming in 2009 that the heavy-handed detectives like Garda James "Lugs" Branigan, were required in today's Dublin to deter crime. Mr. Carney said said of Detective Branigan:
"Nowadays, in more politically correct times, he would probably be abolished by the Garda Ombudsman CommissionGarda Síochána Ombudsman CommissionThe Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is an independent statutory body in Ireland charged with overseeing An Garda Síochána, the police force of the Republic of Ireland. It was established under the Garda Síochána Act, 2005. The Commission deals with complaints from members of the public about...
,and possibly also prosecuted,
"Had his unit, known as Prevention and Detection of Street Nuisances, been continued rather than disbanded on his retirement, I suspect that the streets of Dublin would be considerably safer than they are now.
"I am dealing primarily with my experiences in trials on indictment, which evolved from a situation in my early days where there was an attack on Garda behaviour in virtually every case, to a situation in which there is now virtually no criticism of garda conduct in my court."
"In what I might describe as the bad old days, there were frequent allegations of verbals being floated in the police car on the way to the station or on the stairs leading from the cells to the dock, he said. "I never hear such allegations now.
Senator David Norris, a civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
campaigner and longtime member of Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
(the Irish Senate) said in the senate chamber in 1993 that:
"There is an onus on us to ensure that the guardians of law and order are protected. We have reached the point where the balance of advantage has been taken from the gardaí and given to the criminals. As a university student I recall seeing Garda “Lugs” Branigan in the Olympic Ballroom. He parted the hordes like the Dead Sea to take three people who were in front of the band stand into the back alley and rendered his own justice. Nobody protested. I am not suggesting that we return to those days but I believe that the balance has gone too far in the other direction."
On the 28th of January 2009, RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1 is the principal radio channel of Irish public-service broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann and is the direct descendant of Dublin radio station 2RN, which began broadcasting on a regular basis on 1 January 1926...
's Liveline
LiveLine
Liveline is an Irish radio interview and phone-in chat show broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1 each weekday afternoon between 13.45 and 15.00. The programme, which is currently presented by Joe Duffy and known for its slogan "Talk to Joe", seeks the public's opinion on various questions, normally one or more...
, programme, a popular talk programme, featured callers reminiscing about Detective Branigan and his activities as a Garda in Dublin.
The origin of his nickname 'Lugs' is disputed. While a keen boxer, he achieved his nickname 'Lugs' early in life due to his Cauliflower ear
Cauliflower ear
Cauliflower ear is a condition that occurs when the external portion of the ear suffers a blow, blood clot or other collection of fluid under the perichondrium...
s, a condition most common among amateur wrestlers
Amateur wrestling
Amateur wrestling is the most widespread form of sport wrestling. There are two international wrestling styles performed in the Olympic Games under the supervision of FILA : Greco-Roman and freestyle. Freestyle is possibly derived from the English Lancashire style...
, rugby players
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
, mixed martial artists
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
and grapplers, it is said he got the name because of his ears by a Dublin criminal in the 1940s - a nickname he disliked.
Boxing
He lived on Drimnagh Road, just off the Crumlin Road in Dublin and was treasurer of the County Dublin Board of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (I.A.B.A) and acted as a boxing referee into his late seventies. During the 1930s he was involved with the Garda Boxing Club, fighting at cruiser-weight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight and eventually winning the LeinsterLeinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
heavyweight title. In 1938 he fought for the Ireland international boxing team in Germany. He retired from boxing in 1939, though he became a referee. He sparred with younger boxers and weight-trained well into his sixties.
Retirement
James retired on 6 January 1973. He received many tributes, but was particularly touched by a canteen of cutlery and Waterford glass set from some Dublin prostitutes, who regarded him as a father figure.He spent most of his retirement in Summerhill, County Meath
Summerhill, County Meath
Summerhill is a village in County Meath, Ireland. It is located at the intersection of the R156 and R158 regional roads. The Irish version of the town's name means "Lynch's Hill", and it was the ancestral home of the Norman-Irish Lynch family, whence came the Galway merchant family of the same...
, breeding budgerigars and growing crops. He died there on 22 May 1986.
Non-fiction
- Neary, B. (1985). Lugs: The Life and Times of Jim Branigan. Dublin: Lenhar Publications.
- McNiffe, L. (1997). A History of the Garda Síochána: A Social History of the Force 1922-52, with an Overview of the Years 1952-97. Dublin: Wolfhound Press.