Quinlisk - member of Casement's Irish Brigade

[corisande]

Can anyone help me here. I am researching the Irish Brigade that Sir Roger Casement set out to recruit in POW camps in Germany from irish prisoners

One was this colourful character Henry Timothy Quinlsik who ended up executed in February 1920 in Cork by Thomas McCurtain as an alleged British spy.

Timothy (Henry Timothy) Quinlisk was in the Royal Irish Rifle Regt, was taken prisoner in France, and whilst in Limburg Camp joined Casement's Irish Brigade. He was a Sergeant. Came back to Ireland and was suspected of being an English spy, and was executed in Cork

I have his Medal Index Card, but little else seems to exist on his life

[kingskerswell]

Hi,
   The IGI gives a Timothy Quinlisk, born 26 Apr 1871 in Ireland to Timothy Quinlisk and Fanny McGrath. This was an extracted record.

Regards

[corisande]

Thanks

There is a birth record though that is more likely to be him, born Wexford 1895 (Oct - Dec 1895, ref vol 4 page 654)

He appears to have been under 20 when Casement came across him in Limburg POW camp

He also appears to have gone to a Christian Brothers school and to be of  “of a R.I.C. stock" which almost looks like a contradiction in terms.

[maryderry]

found this, thought it might be of interest.


  .....ex-British Army Quartermaster Sergeant Harry Timothy Quinlisk, from Waterford , Ireland, made it his business to mix in Irish Republican circles ; Michael Collins refused his request to join the IRA as a training officer , and Quinlisk then contacted the British Under-Secretary , claimimg to have information on Collins and the IRA ; there was a £10,000 reward on offer from the British for information leading to the capture of Collins , and Quinlisk was determined to claim it ......

A meeting was duly arranged at Dublin Castle between the representatives of the British administration in Ireland and Quinlisk - however , the IRA had people working for them in the Castle and were notified immediately that Quinlisk had been in contact with the British Under-Secretary. An IRA investigation into the contacts uncovered a telegram and a copy of a despatch which confirmed that Quinlisk was an informer ; arrangements were made to deal with him .

In February , 1920, Quinlisk was 'inadvertently' made aware that Michael Collins was staying in Cork , and went there himself to confirm it ; on 18th February , 1920, IRA Volunteers from Ballyphehane in County Cork shot him dead .
                                                                                   regards mary.

[corisande]

Mary

Thanks for that - it is interesting to see the spin that the two sides put on him.

He was in fact a British Corporal, and a Quartermaster Sargent in Casements Irish Brigade. The Ira certainly had a man on the inside, who got to know about Quinlisk's approach.

Depending on what you read Collins either liked the man or hated him!

As with most of these events at this time to separate spin from truth is difficult, but it all helps to add a picture as to what was going on with him.

[corisande]

I am back into Casement's Irish Brigade, and have been going over my notes.

Following Paul suggesting in my thread on Kehoe/Keogh that there was information on the special branch files, I found Quinlisk there, and there are extensive newspaper cuttings on his death, which has been useful to me.

There seems very little brought together about Casements Irish Brigade, so every little bit helps

[mefein]

Look up 1911 Census for Waterford, 12 Cathedral Square, for family.
 Timothy Quinlisk was shot dead by Mick Murphy and others of "B" Co. 1st Cork Brigade IRA 18 Feb 1920 in townland of Ballyphehane, just outside Cork City. His remains were taken to the County Union initially and interred in the Pauper's Cemetery, Carr's Hill. Some time later Timothy's father, Denis Joseph, claimed his remains and they were taken to either Waterford or Wexford.

[corisande]

Thanks for that help. Perhaps you can help me with three follow up questions

1. I have seen Thomas McCurtain as being responsible for his death. Was this the son of the murdered Lord Mayor of Cork, and was he part of B Coy. Or was it Mick Murphy the shot Quinlisk, and McCurtain had nothing to do with it?

2. I have also read that Quinlisk.s father and grandfather were "of RIC stock". Were they in the RIC? I guess I can get that from the RIC lists if you do not know.

3. The story about Quinlisk, extensively quoted in the Irish press, after the body was found, was given by an Dublin Fusilier Private soldier who had been in the Irish Brigade with Quinlisk. His name was never reported but it has to be 1 of 6 men. Do you know who it was?

[maryderry]

on the 1911 census denis joseph quinlisk occ. r.i constabulary act.sergt.


                                                     regards mary.