McGuinness campaign car in Main St Longford, 1917. Centre, with white trim around her hat, is Joseph McGuinness' wife, née Katherine Farrell. With her are three of their nieces.
McGuinness was born on 12 April 1875 in Cloonmore townland, Tarmonbarry, County Roscommon, to Martin McGuinness, farmer, and Rose Farrell.[3]
After a period in the United States, he lived in Longford town after his return from the USA in 1902. He became involved in the local Conradh na Gaeilge branch. He subsequently moved to Dublin, where he ran drapery shops.[4] He also joined the Irish Volunteers, serving as a lieutenant in ‘C’ company, 1st battalion, which was commanded by Ned Daly. His wife, Katherine Farrell, was a member of the central branch of Cumann na mBan.[5]
Political career
McGuinness, as a member of the Irish Volunteers, took part in fighting in the Four Courts during the Easter Rising in 1916. According to some reports, he was second-in-command in the Four Courts. After the defeat of the uprising, McGuinness was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude (later reduced to three), and was transferred to HM Prison Lewes with other fighters.[6][2]
While in prison, McGuinness was selected against his will as Sinn Féin candidate for the Longford South by-election in May 1917. The prisoners in Lewes were opposed to standing a candidate when the Irish Parliamentary Party looked likely to win, so McGuinness declined to stand. However, Collins had him nominated anyway, and McGuinness went on to win by 37 votes after a recount. His election slogan was "Put him in to get him out!"
He was re-elected as MP for the new Longford constituency at the 1918 general election. In common with the other Sinn Féin MPs, he did not take his seat in the British House of Commons, sitting instead as a TD in the revolutionary First Dáil, where he was appointed as substitute Director of Trade and Commerce on 27 October 1919.
On 3 May 1922 McGuiness was appointed to the so-called "Committee of Ten" established by the Dáil in an effort to stave off the looming civil war. The committee met eleven times but could only report on failure to the Dáil on 11 May. [7]
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