Mick McDonnell the first boss of "The Squad" which operated
directly on the orders of Michael Collins was sent to the United
States in February, 1921, due to ill health. He had contracted TB
and was admitted to Jervis Street Hospital in Dublin in early 1921.
On the basis that he should live in a dry sunny climate Collins
sent him to California to recuperate. He was paid a wage out of IRA
funds.
After the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in December 1921
McDonnell offered to return to Irleand to help Collins in whatever
way required. In May, 1922, Collins wrote to him telling him to
stay in California and not to worry about what was happening at
home.
Collins was killed in August 1922 and in December McDonnell's
first child was born in California. He was named Michael Collins
McDonnell.
Mick McDonnell was put on the Irish national army list and paid
a a salary at the rank of Colonel. He was subsequently awarded a
military service pension and remained in California.
(Information from Mick McDonnell's file in the Military Service
Pensions Collection now available on line on the site of the Bureau
of Military History in Dublin)
