James Collins (Irish politician)

James John Collins (30 October 1900 – 1 September 1967) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Limerick West constituency from 1948 to 1967.[1]

He joined the Irish Volunteers in 1915, holding various ranks before becoming adjutant to the West Limerick Brigade in October 1920. After the Anglo-Irish Treaty, he took charge of the Newcastle West RIC barracks and fought on the anti-treaty side in the Irish Civil War; he was arrested three times, escaped twice, and was finally released 24 December 1923. On the cessation of hostilities, he worked as a farmer and a rate collector for Limerick County Council. He was a founder member of Fianna Fáil.[2]

He was first elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil TD for the Limerick West constituency at the 1948 general election and re-elected at each election until his death in 1967.[3] He was succeeded in the by-election of November 1967, by his son Gerry Collins. Another son, Michael J. Collins was later elected for the same constituency. His grandson Niall Collins, has served as a TD for Limerick County since 2011.