John Daly

John Daly (18 October 1845 – 30 June 1916), was an Irish republican, and a leading member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood. He was uncle to Kathleen Clarke, wife of Tom Clarke who was executed for his part in the 1916 Rising and who was a leading member of the IRB, and her brother Ned Daly who was also executed in 1916. Daly briefly served as a member of the British Parliament but was resented for having previously been convicted for treason against the British state. Daly also served as Mayor of Limerick for 3 years at the turn of the century. Early life John Daly was born in Limerick city on 18 October 1845. His father worked in James Harvey & Son's Timber Yard. At 16 John joined his father working as a lath splitter. At 18 he was sworn in as a member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood, also known as the Fenians, and became fully involved in Republican activities. When he was refused absolution in confession because he admitted to being a Fenian, he decided that from then on his loyalty would no longer be to "faith and Fatherland" but to "God and Fatherland." On 22 November 1866 Daly and his brother Edward were arrested at their family home having been betrayed by an informer, for running a munitions factory in the Pennywell district close to their home. He was released on bail in February 1867 toughened and more dedicated by the experience.