James "Lugs" Branigan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Christopher "Lugs" Branigan (6 January 1910 – 22 May 1986) was a well-known member of the Garda Síochána in the 1950s and 1960s,[3] as well as an Irish boxer and boxing referee. He has been described as a "legend and part of Dublin mythology," but has also been criticised for alleged police brutality.[4]
James Branigan | |
---|---|
Born | James Christopher Branigan 6 January 1910 (1910-01-06) |
Died | 22 May 1986 (1986-05-23) (aged 76) |
Resting place | Deans Grange Cemetery |
Other names | Lugs |
Education | Training at Phoenix Park Garda Training Depot |
Spouse | Elizabeth "Elsie" Armstrong[1][2] |
Police career | |
Country | Garda Síochána |
Service years | 1931–1973 |
Rank | Sergeant |
Memorials | Plaque in Whitefriar Street Carmelite Church |
Other work | Amateur boxer and boxing administrator |
The nickname 'Lugs' refers to his prominent ears. 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.[3][5] According to Neary (1985), he was known as Jim, "Branno" and "The Bran" to his Garda colleagues, and "Bat", from battler which he was known as from his boxing days.[5]