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The Legendary 'Lugs Branigan' – Ireland's Most Famed Garda: How One Man became Dublin's Tough Justice Legend
Garda and guardian. Protector and punisher. This is 'Lugs' the man, the legend.The story of 'Lugs' Branigan is a tale that is long overdue. It is a story of extraordinary courage and compassion, a story of heroism and altruism, a story of crime, punishment and redemption. The legend of 'Lugs''s career as Ireland's most famous garda (police officer), founded on his physical strength and the manner in which he faced up to the criminal gangs of Dublin over the course of fifty years, is part of Dublin's folk history.In The Legendary 'Lugs' Branigan, bestselling historian Kevin C. Kearns presents a revealing and unvarnished portrait of the man and his life, authenticated by the oral testimony of family members, friends and Garda mates who stood with him through the most harrowing and poignant experiences.Born in the Liberties of Dublin in 1910, Jim Branigan was, by his own admission, a shy, scrawny 'sissy' as a lad. Cruelly beaten by bullies in the railway yard where he worked during his teens, he refused to fight back. Yet he went on to become a heavyweight boxing champion and to earn the 'undisputed reputation as the country's toughest and bravest garda'. Chief Superintendent Edmund Doherty proclaimed him 'one of those people who become a legend in his own time'.As a garda he refused to carry a baton, relying upon his fists. He took on the vicious 'animal gangs' of the 1930s and 40s and in the 'Battle of Baldoyle' broke their reign of terror. In the 1950s he quelled the wild 'rock-and-roll riots' and tamed the ruffian Teddy boys with their flick-knives. All the while, he was dealing with Dublin's full array of gurriers and criminals.As a devotee of American Western films and books, Branigan emulated the sheriffs by doling out his unique 'showdown' brand of summary justice to hooligans and thugs on the street. In the 1960s his riot squad with its Garda 'posse' patrolled Dublin's roughest districts in their 'black Maria'. They contended with the most dangerous rows and riots in the streets, dancehalls and pubs. The cry 'Lugs is here!' could instantly scatter a disorderly crowd.Ironically, for all his fame as a tough, fearless garda, he was most beloved for his humanity and compassion. His role as guardian of the battered women of the tenements and as protector and father figure of the city's piteous prostitutes—or 'pavement hostesses', as he called them—was unrecorded in the press and hushed up by the Garda brass. Yet, Garda John Collins vouches, 'Women … oh, he was God to them!' Upon retirement he entered his 'old gunfighter' years; ageing and vulnerable, he became a target for old foes bent on revenge and for 'young guns' seeking a quick reputation.A man with a reputation powerful enough to echo through generations of Dubliners, the legendary 'Lugs' Branigan finally has a book worthy of his story.
610 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 19, 2017
It was a bit hard to get into at first, but it's an interesting look at the life of a renowned Irish cop who, if you believe the author, seemed destined to fight his way through the twentieth century. He fights Nazis, the animal gangs, teddy boys, drunken mobs, rock 'n' rollers, and skin heads. The book is a bit of a hagiography, and that works against it because you're left wondering what his flaws were. But I don't know, I liked it.
October 25, 2022
As a Dub who grew up near the National Boxing Stadium, and where part of my life crossed over with the end of Lugs Branigan's career, I found the book of interest. However, the reverential tone of the writer, Kevin Kearns, and his tendency to bash you over the head with repetition of just how marvellous Branno was, got tiring.
There was no objectivity at all from the writer; because Lugs, or Branno, declared - toward the end of the book - that he hadn't been promoted on account of not playing ball with his superiors by quashing summonses against their mates - is taken as gospel by the writer (i.e. just because Lugs and his son said it, therefore it was!) I can think of lots of other reasons for not promoting him; maybe his superiors had seen that he didn't demonstrate the ability to delegate (it was obvious from the book that he was always first in - he didn't seem to mentor any of his gang into his mould), he enjoyed his notoriety and he liked it on the front-line? There is a famous phrase - what got you here won't necessarily get you there - could that not have been a reason?
Having said all that, I did enjoy hearing about where Lugs grew up; what shaped his life; Dublin through the decades, particularly the 60s and 70s when I became aware of him and his legend. The author goes through the changes Lugs saw in society and his fearlessness. I have no doubt that the man was fearless and that he also had a softer side to him. I remember him being talked about in my youth and he was revered. He most certainly was a man of his time.
I found it surprising that we got no insight into his family life - what his wife thought of his total commitment to the job, the sacrifices she had to make and the impact on her. We really only get that insight when he was dying towards the end. A little more of his home life would have been interesting and to see how his legend impacted her on a day to day basis (e.g. was the family and the family home ever targetted?)
A lot of the stories told were too "folkloreish" for my liking - newspaper headlines and recollections of "a friend of a friend" on what happened 50 years ago. I'm not doubting something happened but all the stories reminded me of the kind of stuff you'd hear people saying over a few pints in the local. It certainly wouldn't meet a standard of "investigative" reporting.
It was sad how Branno died. He equated sickness with weakness and dared not go to hospital - or a doctor - without being pushed.
In terms of the overall book, I wasn't too impressed. The lack of depth in some of the commentary; the constant repetition from paragraph to paragraph to bash home the point became wearisome; the reverential tone of the whole book by the author ... who is obviously in awe of the man ... with the resultant lack of objectivity in the writing was disappointing. The folksy style of writing didn't appeal either.
I enjoyed the book to an extent because of the memories it evoked for me of a Dublin I knew in the 60s and 70s - the nostalgia kick - but I think it could have been so much better (and a lot shorter).
Merged review:
As a Dub who grew up near the National Boxing Stadium, and where part of my life crossed over with the end of Lugs Branigan's career, I found the book of interest. However, the reverential tone of the writer, Kevin Kearns, and his tendency to bash you over the head with repetition of just how marvellous Branno was, got tiring.
There was no objectivity at all from the writer; because Lugs, or Branno, declared - toward the end of the book - that he hadn't been promoted on account of not playing ball with his superiors by quashing summonses against their mates - is taken as gospel by the writer (i.e. just because Lugs and his son said it, therefore it was!) I can think of lots of other reasons for not promoting him; maybe his superiors had seen that he didn't demonstrate the ability to delegate (it was obvious from the book that he was always first in - he didn't seem to mentor any of his gang into his mould), he enjoyed his notoriety and he liked it on the front-line? There is a famous phrase - what got you here won't necessarily get you there - could that not have been a reason?
Having said all that, I did enjoy hearing about where Lugs grew up; what shaped his life; Dublin through the decades, particularly the 60s and 70s when I became aware of him and his legend. The author goes through the changes Lugs saw in society and his fearlessness. I have no doubt that the man was fearless and that he also had a softer side to him. I remember him being talked about in my youth and he was revered. He most certainly was a man of his time.
I found it surprising that we got no insight into his family life - what his wife thought of his total commitment to the job, the sacrifices she had to make and the impact on her. We really only get that insight when he was dying towards the end. A little more of his home life would have been interesting and to see how his legend impacted her on a day to day basis (e.g. was the family and the family home ever targetted?)
A lot of the stories told were too "folkloreish" for my liking - newspaper headlines and recollections of "a friend of a friend" on what happened 50 years ago. I'm not doubting something happened but all the stories reminded me of the kind of stuff you'd hear people saying over a few pints in the local. It certainly wouldn't meet a standard of "investigative" reporting.
It was sad how Branno died. He equated sickness with weakness and dared not go to hospital - or a doctor - without being pushed.
In terms of the overall book, I wasn't too impressed. The lack of depth in some of the commentary; the constant repetition from paragraph to paragraph to bash home the point became wearisome; the reverential tone of the whole book by the author ... who is obviously in awe of the man ... with the resultant lack of objectivity in the writing was disappointing. The folksy style of writing didn't appeal either.
I enjoyed the book to an extent because of the memories it evoked for me of a Dublin I knew in the 60s and 70s - the nostalgia kick - but I think it could have been so much better (and a lot shorter).
There was no objectivity at all from the writer; because Lugs, or Branno, declared - toward the end of the book - that he hadn't been promoted on account of not playing ball with his superiors by quashing summonses against their mates - is taken as gospel by the writer (i.e. just because Lugs and his son said it, therefore it was!) I can think of lots of other reasons for not promoting him; maybe his superiors had seen that he didn't demonstrate the ability to delegate (it was obvious from the book that he was always first in - he didn't seem to mentor any of his gang into his mould), he enjoyed his notoriety and he liked it on the front-line? There is a famous phrase - what got you here won't necessarily get you there - could that not have been a reason?
Having said all that, I did enjoy hearing about where Lugs grew up; what shaped his life; Dublin through the decades, particularly the 60s and 70s when I became aware of him and his legend. The author goes through the changes Lugs saw in society and his fearlessness. I have no doubt that the man was fearless and that he also had a softer side to him. I remember him being talked about in my youth and he was revered. He most certainly was a man of his time.
I found it surprising that we got no insight into his family life - what his wife thought of his total commitment to the job, the sacrifices she had to make and the impact on her. We really only get that insight when he was dying towards the end. A little more of his home life would have been interesting and to see how his legend impacted her on a day to day basis (e.g. was the family and the family home ever targetted?)
A lot of the stories told were too "folkloreish" for my liking - newspaper headlines and recollections of "a friend of a friend" on what happened 50 years ago. I'm not doubting something happened but all the stories reminded me of the kind of stuff you'd hear people saying over a few pints in the local. It certainly wouldn't meet a standard of "investigative" reporting.
It was sad how Branno died. He equated sickness with weakness and dared not go to hospital - or a doctor - without being pushed.
In terms of the overall book, I wasn't too impressed. The lack of depth in some of the commentary; the constant repetition from paragraph to paragraph to bash home the point became wearisome; the reverential tone of the whole book by the author ... who is obviously in awe of the man ... with the resultant lack of objectivity in the writing was disappointing. The folksy style of writing didn't appeal either.
I enjoyed the book to an extent because of the memories it evoked for me of a Dublin I knew in the 60s and 70s - the nostalgia kick - but I think it could have been so much better (and a lot shorter).
Merged review:
As a Dub who grew up near the National Boxing Stadium, and where part of my life crossed over with the end of Lugs Branigan's career, I found the book of interest. However, the reverential tone of the writer, Kevin Kearns, and his tendency to bash you over the head with repetition of just how marvellous Branno was, got tiring.
There was no objectivity at all from the writer; because Lugs, or Branno, declared - toward the end of the book - that he hadn't been promoted on account of not playing ball with his superiors by quashing summonses against their mates - is taken as gospel by the writer (i.e. just because Lugs and his son said it, therefore it was!) I can think of lots of other reasons for not promoting him; maybe his superiors had seen that he didn't demonstrate the ability to delegate (it was obvious from the book that he was always first in - he didn't seem to mentor any of his gang into his mould), he enjoyed his notoriety and he liked it on the front-line? There is a famous phrase - what got you here won't necessarily get you there - could that not have been a reason?
Having said all that, I did enjoy hearing about where Lugs grew up; what shaped his life; Dublin through the decades, particularly the 60s and 70s when I became aware of him and his legend. The author goes through the changes Lugs saw in society and his fearlessness. I have no doubt that the man was fearless and that he also had a softer side to him. I remember him being talked about in my youth and he was revered. He most certainly was a man of his time.
I found it surprising that we got no insight into his family life - what his wife thought of his total commitment to the job, the sacrifices she had to make and the impact on her. We really only get that insight when he was dying towards the end. A little more of his home life would have been interesting and to see how his legend impacted her on a day to day basis (e.g. was the family and the family home ever targetted?)
A lot of the stories told were too "folkloreish" for my liking - newspaper headlines and recollections of "a friend of a friend" on what happened 50 years ago. I'm not doubting something happened but all the stories reminded me of the kind of stuff you'd hear people saying over a few pints in the local. It certainly wouldn't meet a standard of "investigative" reporting.
It was sad how Branno died. He equated sickness with weakness and dared not go to hospital - or a doctor - without being pushed.
In terms of the overall book, I wasn't too impressed. The lack of depth in some of the commentary; the constant repetition from paragraph to paragraph to bash home the point became wearisome; the reverential tone of the whole book by the author ... who is obviously in awe of the man ... with the resultant lack of objectivity in the writing was disappointing. The folksy style of writing didn't appeal either.
I enjoyed the book to an extent because of the memories it evoked for me of a Dublin I knew in the 60s and 70s - the nostalgia kick - but I think it could have been so much better (and a lot shorter).
February 14, 2020
I've read nearly all the books by Kevin C. Kearns, for research and pleasure. Really enjoyable and fantastic to read the captured voices of the Irish especially old Dublin people. This is one of my favourite and I especially loved the Teddy Boy parts.
Read
September 27, 2021its ok read , although is interesting
January 31, 2016
Life and tines of a Garda Hero and legend.
The story of his upbring, joining An Garda Siochana (police force), becoming the Leinster heavyweight champion and boxing in other countries, including Nazi Germany.
The stories from his family, friends and those that knew him around the Liberties Area in Dublin City.
Tackling crime, times when only fists got to the heart of the action. He cared as a man, particularly about the scourge of violence against women. Battered wives, dismissively told by priests to submit to their husbands, sought Branigan’s protection
The author has him potraited as a local super cop, perhaps he was, but there are flaws in the man.
The story arc covers from being a child into retiring from the Garda. The book details the life and times of the 1940's onwards inner city Dublin, hard life for all inhabitants. Chronicles the changing life of a city as seen through the eyes of a police officer and despite progress of society, the gangs still have their old methods of crime and Lug's approach to tackling this.
The story of his upbring, joining An Garda Siochana (police force), becoming the Leinster heavyweight champion and boxing in other countries, including Nazi Germany.
The stories from his family, friends and those that knew him around the Liberties Area in Dublin City.
Tackling crime, times when only fists got to the heart of the action. He cared as a man, particularly about the scourge of violence against women. Battered wives, dismissively told by priests to submit to their husbands, sought Branigan’s protection
The author has him potraited as a local super cop, perhaps he was, but there are flaws in the man.
The story arc covers from being a child into retiring from the Garda. The book details the life and times of the 1940's onwards inner city Dublin, hard life for all inhabitants. Chronicles the changing life of a city as seen through the eyes of a police officer and despite progress of society, the gangs still have their old methods of crime and Lug's approach to tackling this.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews