James Christopher Branigan, better known as Lugs Branigan or Jim Branigan (6 January 1910 - 22 May 1986) was a well-known member of the Garda Síochána.[1] as well as an Irish Boxer, Boxing referee and to some, a folk and urban legend. Born in No.1 James Street, Dublin which was part of Saint Kevin's Hospital (South Dublin union) in 1910, James Branigan was a well-known figure in Dublin, both for his interest and participation in the boxing scene, but also due to his long career with An Garda Síochána.
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He was born to John Alick Branigan, an official of South Dublin Union, and Ellen Branigan (née Kavanagh).[1] James witnessed the shooting of a British soldier during the 1916 Rising - the area they lived in saw heavy fighting.[1] It is now part of Ushers Quay.[2] He was educated at Basin Lane Convent and James' Street Christian Brothers School.[1]
James left school at 14 to become an apprentice fitter on Great Southern Railways, where he was bullied.[1] On completing his apprenticeship, he left.[1]
He joined the Gardaí in June 1931 and took up physical exercise after barely passing physical requirements.[1] James was stationed in Kevin Street in 1936 and was known for using physical force against petty criminals, which he admitted to doing to avoid excessive paperwork.[1] Upon joining the police force, Garda Branigan distinguished himself during violent disturbances during the 'wild' forties in Dublin and became well known after a violent riot which subsequently became known as the 'Battle of Baldoyle' where one person died. James sometimes acted as an unofficial social worker, as he was close to people on his beat. He was promoted to detective Garda in July 1958[1] and Garda sergeant in December 1963 and put in charge of a mobile riot squad unit, which he remained active with until his retirement.[1] He became well known after he took charge of this unit, the so-called Prevention and Detection of Street Nuisances Unit, also known as 'Brano Five Team', who were called out to any trouble spots in Dublin. This unit became well known around the night spots of Dublin, such as dance halls and cinemas, where 'tough justice' was melted out to any transgressors.
James Branigan, who headed up the unit until its disbandment in 1973, had the respect of both the community and judiciary, the now Sergeant Branigan becoming a well known figure in Dublin during the 1960s. Stories of mistreatment, rough or tough justice surrounded Garda Branigan and his squad, the sight of his Bedford van, was feared on Dublin's late nights streets. His individual heavy handedness, strength and fearlessness drew much attention to Sergeant Branigan, his personal notoriety growing over the years. He believed his outspoken personality had been held against him by senior Gardaí, preventing his further promotion.[1] An oft repeated story, has Detective Branigan giving culprits either the choice of a 'box to the face' or a day in court. Commenting in court after one notorious incident when a criminal bit him on the bottom during an arrest, he said:[3]
"He was worse than the Balubas. At least they cook you first."
Detective Branigan in his day enjoyed the respect of the community, the bench and those he prosecuted and sometimes he was appointed as a bodyguard to visiting celebrities.[1] Soon after he retired in 1973, after more than 40 years service, the squad was broken up due it's then national notoriety. In later life, he became a door man at various night spots in Dublin before retiring to Summerhill in Meath before passing away in 1986. In more recent times, there has been a increased interest and nostalgia about the activities of his squad, with a senior High Court Judge, Mr Justice Paul Carney, claiming in 2009 that the heavy-handed detectives like Garda James "Lugs" Branigan, were required in today's Dublin to deter crime. Mr. Carney said [4] said of Detective Branigan:
"Nowadays, in more politically correct times, he would probably be abolished by the Garda Ombudsman Commission,and possibly also prosecuted,
"Had his unit, known as Prevention and Detection of Street Nuisances, been continued rather than disbanded on his retirement, I suspect that the streets of Dublin would be considerably safer than they are now.
"I am dealing primarily with my experiences in trials on indictment, which evolved from a situation in my early days where there was an attack on Garda behaviour in virtually every case, to a situation in which there is now virtually no criticism of garda conduct in my court."
"In what I might describe as the bad old days, there were frequent allegations of verbals being floated in the police car on the way to the station or on the stairs leading from the cells to the dock, he said. "I never hear such allegations now.
Senator David Norris, a civil rights campaigner and longtime member of Seanad Éireann (the Irish Senate) said in the senate chamber in 1993 that:[5]
"There is an onus on us to ensure that the guardians of law and order are protected. We have reached the point where the balance of advantage has been taken from the gardaí and given to the criminals. As a university student I recall seeing Garda “Lugs” Branigan in the Olympic Ballroom. He parted the hordes like the Dead Sea to take three people who were in front of the band stand into the back alley and rendered his own justice. Nobody protested. I am not suggesting that we return to those days but I believe that the balance has gone too far in the other direction."
On the 28th of January 2009, RTÉ Radio 1's Liveline, programme, a popular talk programme, featured callers reminiscing about Detective Branigan and his activities as a Garda in Dublin.
The origin of his nickname 'Lugs' is disputed. While a keen boxer, he achieved his nickname 'Lugs' early in life due to his Cauliflower ears, a condition most common among amateur wrestlers, rugby players, mixed martial artists and grapplers, it is said he got the name because of his ears by a Dublin criminal in the 1940s - a nickname he disliked.[1]
He lived on Drimnagh Road, just off the Crumlin Road in Dublin and was treasurer of the County Dublin Board of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association (I.A.B.A) and acted as a boxing referee into his late seventies. During the 1930s he was involved with the Garda Boxing Club, fighting at cruiser-weight, light-heavyweight and heavyweight and eventually winning the Leinster heavyweight title.[1] In 1938 he fought for the Ireland international boxing team in Germany.[1] He retired from boxing in 1939, though he became a referee.[1] He sparred with younger boxers and weight-trained well into his sixties.[1]
James retired on 6 January 1973. He received many tributes, but was particularly touched by a canteen of cutlery and Waterford glass set from some Dublin prostitutes, who regarded him as a father figure.[1]
He spent most of his retirement in Summerhill, County Meath, breeding budgerigars and growing crops. He died there on 22 May 1986.