Privileged Injuries: Defining Disability Among Veterans Of The Irish Revolution (1916–1923)

Following its War of Independence from Britain (1919–21) and subsequent Civil (1922–3), the Irish Free State government introduced disability pension legislation to compensate revolutionaries soldiers who had been wounded dependants those died in conflicts. The was initially limited only physical wounds, but this remit extended 1927 cover mental illness disease contracted during active service. In expanding eligibility way, went against trend internationally among belligerent nations First World War, where circumscribed considerably 1920s, with psychiatric cases often being downgraded or excluded entirely. This article explores evolution opposite independent Ireland, exploring reasons for initial privileging wounds locating decision expand variables governing veteran privilege identified work Martin Crotty, Neil Diamant Mark Edele.