Seán Harrington

Seán Harrington (1900 – 1976) was an Irish republican paramilitary who later became a prominent member of the Society of Friends.

Biography[]

Born in Dublin,^[1] Harrington joined the Irish Republican Army (IRA),^[2] and fought in the Irish War of Independence. He opposed the Anglo-Irish Treaty and remained with the IRA through the Irish Civil War.^[3] On release, Harrington relocated to Dublin, where he found work as the caretaker at the Court Laundry. This was a difficult role, as local levels of crime were high. In December, he was tied to his bed and beaten, taking three months to recover; he apprehended an armed robber in April 1946.^[4] He broke his links with the paramilitary movement and also left the Catholic church, joining a group of Quakers; this group attracted some opposition, and Harrington lost the hearing in one ear after being attacked by a group of young Catholic extremists.^[3]

By the late 1960s, Harrington had left Ireland and moved to Tring in Hertfordshire.^[3]

Note[]

Should not be confused with a different Sean Harrington who was appointed Chief of Staff of the IRA in November 1941 following the arrest of Pearse Kelly. On 14 February 1942, Sean Harrington (27) of Addergowan, Ballyduff, Listowel, County Kerry was arrested in the North Strand, Dublin for failing to furnish information of how he came into possession 50 £1 notes; failing to give his name and address and failing to give an account of his movements.^[5] Harrington was sentenced in March 1942 to two years imprisonment. Sean Harrington later lived at Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown, Dublin and died in November 1978.^[6]

References[]