Michael Colbert

Michael Brendan Colbert (9 July 1899¹ – 1 April 1959) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician.²

He was born in the townland of Templeathea, in Athea, County Limerick, to William Colbert, a farmer, and Nora Danaher.³ During the Irish War of Independence, Colbert served on the brigade staff of West Limerick Brigade, Irish Republican Army (IRA) and took part in ambushes and operations against British forces while attached to IRA 'Flying Column' (Active Service Unit).⁴

Taking the anti-Treaty side in the Irish Civil War, Colbert took part in engagements against National forces in County Limerick and County Kerry. He was arrested in October 1922, took part in a 15 day hunger strike in November 1923 and was interned until May 1924. Colbert was later awarded a pension in 1935 for his service with the IRA between 1920 and 1923.⁴

A farmer and horse breeder, he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick constituency at the 1937 general election.⁵ He lost his seat at the 1938 general election, but was subsequently elected to the 3rd Seanad on the Agricultural Panel. He was re-elected to the Seanad in 1943. He regained his Dáil seat at the 1944 general election but lost it again at the 1948 general election. He was re-elected to the Dáil for the Limerick West constituency at the 1955 by-election caused by the death of David Madden of Fine Gael. He lost his seat at the 1957 general election.⁵

He and James Colbert, a Fianna Fáil TD for the Limerick constituency, were first cousins; and James' brother was Con Colbert.⁶