Born James Doherty, he was raised by his maternal grandparents, the Bolands, and enlisted as James Boland in 1917. He lost an arm while serving and was released from the British Army in 1918. Various reference books say that he led the Crown Forces to the men who were involved in John Street ambush, but I cannot find any primary source to substantiate that. There is a paucity of Witness Statements, only one, which says the IRA executed him
He had married a few weeks before his death
1898 Aug 5. His parents married
1898 Aug 17. Born
1901 census at Townwall, Limerick
But his parents are at Careys Lane, Limerick (same address as on their marriage certificate)
1911 census at Townwall, Limerick
I cannot find his parents in 1911
1917 Apr 4. Attested to Leinster Regt
1918 May 14. Discharged Leinster Regt. He had his right arm amputated.
1921 Jan 29. Married
1921 Jun 27. Shot in Limerick
IRA Witness Statement The execution of a spy named Boland
The British Inquest into his death
