James "Lugs" Branigan
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.[1]
Early Life
He was born in James Street, Dublin to John Alick Branigan, an official of South Dublin Union, and Ellen Branigan (née Kavanagh).[1] James witnessed the shooting of a British soldier during the 1916 Rising - the area they lived in saw heavy fighting.[1] It is now part of Ushers Quay.[2] He was educated at Basin Lane Convent and James' Street Christian Brothers School.[1]
Career
Railway Apprenticeship
James left school at 14 to become an apprentice fitter on Great Southern Railways, where he was bullied.[1] On completing his apprenticeship, he left.[1]
Gardaí
He joined the Gardaí in June 1931 and took up physical excercise after barely passing physical requirements.[1]
Kevin Street
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.[1]
He was nicknamed 'Lugs' because of his ears by a Dublin criminal in the 1940s - a nickname he disliked.[1]
James sometimes acting as an unofficial social worker, as he was close to people on his beat.
He was promoted to detective Garda in July 1958.[1]
Sometimes he was appointed as a bodyguard to visiting celebrities.[1]
James was promoted to Garda sergeant in December 1963 and put in charge of a mobile riot squad unit, which he remained active with until his retirement.[1] He believed his outspoken personality had been held against him by senior Gardaí, preventing his further promotion.[1]
Boxing
During the 1930s he was involved with the Garda Boxing Club, fighting at cruiser-weight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight and eventually winning the Leinster heavyweight title.[1] In 1938 he fought for the Ireland international boxing team in Germany.[1] He retired from boxing in 1939, though he became a referee.[1] He sparred with younger boxers and weight-trained well into his sixties.[1]
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.[1]
He spent most of his retirement in Summerhill, County Meath, breeding budgerigars and growing crops.Summerhill, County Meath He died there on 22 May 1986.Summerhill, County Meath