I had a very similar question.
I worked in the USA for a few years and have about $70,000 in a pension account (TIAA CREF). I was hoping to cash it in to provide a downpayment for a house in Ireland.
My assumption was that if I do cash some money in, it becomes taxable in the USA, but if I do it in small amounts I'll still be under the limit for taxes in the USA as I'll have paid far more in tax to Ireland, and I can't be double-taxed under various agreements. I understand that there is a 10% penalty for cashing in before a certain age, and the IRS will withold 30% for income tax, but I should get that 30% back when I file my US taxes for the year. Is that right?
But the poster above seems to say that it will be taxable in Ireland. Is that true?