ROYAL IRISH CONSTABULARY 1867-1922

 Lest we Forget

 Constabulary of Ireland

Sub-Const Hugh Mulloway

Died 2 July 1837

Killed during an attempt to rescue a prisoner in Co. Mayo.

Const Eugene Shea

Died 22 October 1837

Fatally injured when he was struck on the head with a stone.

Sub-Const Henry Rodgers

Died 3 January 1838

Knocked down fracturing his skull arresting a drunk in Co. Longford.

Sub-Const Samuel Mahafey

Died 3 January 1838

Beaten to death by a gang while conveying orders in Co. Longford.

Sub-Const Patrick Walsh

Died 25 October 1838

Fatally wounded in the head and body in an affray in Co. Carlow.

Const Patrick Lawlor

Died 21 September 1839

Fatally shot attempting to arrest suspects for a highway robbery.

A/Const Richard Lawlor

Died 1 November 1839

Fatally struck on the head with a stone while intervening in an affray.

Co. Insp (Rtd) John MacLeod

Died 29 January 1845, aged 53

A former RIC officer, murdered while serving as a Resident Magistrate.

Const Matthew Jeffers

Died 26 June 1845

Killed when attacked by a mentally deranged man in Co. Donegal.

Const James Crowley

Died 21 January 1847

Shot dead in an ambush while guarding a pay clerk on his rounds.

Sub-Const John Yates

Died 15 March 1847

Shot dead in an ambush while guarding a pay clerk on his rounds.

Sub-Const Thomas Malone

Died 18 May 1847

Died of gunshot wounds received in a conflict with a band of armed men.

Sub-Const Henry Madden

Died 19 February 1849, aged 31

Died from the effects of injuries received accidentally while on duty.

Const Patrick Burke

Died 17 March 1849, aged 24

Shot dead when his police cordon, protecting a parade, was fired upon.

Const Samuel Barber

Died 30 August 1849, aged 41

Died as a result of a bayonet wound received while on duty in 1845.

Sub-Const James Owens

Died 18 September 1849, aged 23

Fatally stabbed during an attack by rebels on Cappoquin barracks.

Sub-Const Patrick Mortimer

Died 14 October 1849, aged 21

Sub-Const James Gleeson

Died 22 October 1849, aged 21

Both fatally shot when police challenged a party of armed men.

Sub-Insp Thomas Thornley

Died 30 April 1850, aged 53

Died of severe injuries received on duty in December 1849 in Co. Antrim.

Const Thomas Hickey

Died  22 February 1853, aged 36

Died of convulsions resulting from an injury received on duty.

Sub-Const John Glavin

Died 9 December 1857, aged 54

Died as a result of being wounded in the head by the blow of a stone.

Sub-Const James Nolan

Died 14 September 1859, aged 44

Died as the result of an injury on duty.

Sgt Robert McClelland

Died 5 December 1859, aged 35

Shot dead by one of his constables in revenge for reporting him.

Sub-Const Richard Graham

Died 6 April 1863, aged 23

Died from mortification of his leg broken while he was on duty.

Sub-Const Patrick Sheedy

Died 5 March 1867, aged 42

Shot dead while in the execution of his duty in Co. Cork.

Royal Irish Constabulary  

Const Thomas Casey

Died 22 February 1868, aged 37

Shot and fatally wounded when trying to arrest a Fenian captain.

Sub-Const Samuel Morrow

Died 14 August 1868, aged 32

Shot dead while escorting a landowner serving eviction notices.

H/Const (Rtd) Thomas Talbott

Died 16 July 1871, aged 45

Fatally shot by Fenians having been an active detective against them.

Act/Con George Cooke

Died 1 July 1872, aged 40

Shot dead while in the execution of his duty in Co. Donegal.

Sub-Const Joseph Morton

Died 20 August 1872, aged 34

Shot dead whilst attempting to keep two rioting mobs apart in Belfast.

Const Richardson

Died January 1873

Shot and fatally wounded by a gamekeeper at Mullingar.

Const Cornelius McNamara

Died 15 November 1873, aged 48

Beaten and stabbed to death by another constable.

Const William Prendergast

Died 11 January 1874, aged 51

Drowned on duty while returning from Carlow Quarter Sessions.

Const Michael Gunning

Died 19 January1874, aged 25

Drowned on duty while returning from Portmagee Petty Sessions.

Const Francis Murphy

Died 29 December 1874, aged 38

Shot by a sub-constable whom he had reported for neglect of duty.

Sub-Const John Warrington

Died 28 March 1875, aged 32

Killed by the blow of a stone received on duty in Co. Tipperary.

Sgt John O'Brien

Died 18 October 1876, aged 53

Shot dead by a sub-constable who he had reported for drunkenness

Const Timothy Hayes

Died 6 October 1877, aged 31

Beaten to death by navvies while attempting to arrest one of them.

Sub-Insp Samuel Boyce

Died 23 June 1879, aged 40

Killed when he was thrown from his horse going to inspect a barracks.

Sub-Const Arthur Small

Died 16 April 1880, aged 31

Died as a result of his arm being broken on duty in Co. Sligo.

Sub-Const James Slowey

Died 17 September 1880, aged 45

Died of disease resulting from an injury received while riding on duty.

Const Robert Armstrong

Died 6 April 1881, aged 47

Fatally wounded by a mob while protecting a process server.

Const James Linton

Died 24 July 1881, aged 44

Shot in the stomach and fatally wounded while on patrol.

Const James Kavanagh

Died 15 February 1882, aged 49

Shot dead while dealing with an agrarian dispute at Letterfrack.

Sub-Const Edward Brown

Died 12 August 1882, aged 32

Shot in the back and killed whilst on town foot patrol in Parsonstown.

Const Henry L. Stone

Died 28 September 1884, aged 25

Died from disease resulting from an injury on duty.

H/Const William Gardiner

Died 14 July 1886, aged 46

Shot and fatally wounded during sectarian rioting in Belfast.

H/Const Gerald Whelehan

Died 11 September 1887, aged 42

Fatally bludgeoned by a mob while protecting a boycotted tenant.

Dist/Insp Joshua William V. Bernard

Died 23 September 1887, aged 45

Died from injuries received in December 1886 during riots in Belfast.

Sgt Charles McGowan

Died 8 June 1888, aged 35

Shot and stabbed to death by a constable in the police station.

Dist Insp William Limerick Martin

Died 3 February 1889, aged 43

Beaten to death by a large mob, executing a warrant on a priest.

Sub-Const John Mills

Died 19 November 1889, aged 46

Accidentally killed in a fall down a cliff, searching for an illegal still.

Const William John Finlay

Died 8 January 1891, aged 39

Fatally injured in a fall down a flight of steps on duty in Portrush, Co. Antrim.

Const Timothy O`Leary

Died 21 July 1891, aged 31

Drowned when his boat capsized while proceeding to his police post.

Const Thomas King

Died 4 August 1891, aged 34

Collapsed and died from heart failure while arresting a prisoner.

Sgt Michael Rogan

Died 1 November 1892, aged 40

Shot dead with his family by a mentally deranged constable.

Dist Insp Frank W. Feely

Died 11 January 1908, aged 43

Died from septicaemia resulting from injuries received on duty.

Const Martin Goldrick

Died 22 January 1909, aged 24

Shot dead pursuing two gunmen who had just shot two workmen.

Const John A. Wallace

Died 28 July 1909, aged 21

Drowned in a gallant endeavour to save the life of a comrade.

Const Laurence Bergin

Died 16 November 1912, aged 43

Fatally stabbed with a manure fork, trying to settle a family dispute.

A/Sgt Brian Taylor

Died 12 August 1914, aged 36

Killed when he was run over by a railway train on duty in Belfast.

Const Edward Casey

Died 27 October 1914, aged 39

Died of disease accelerated by an assault while arresting a prisoner.

H/Const Patrick Donnelly

Died 8 August 1915, aged 51

Died of disease following an injury to his back sustained while on duty.

Const Bernard McNamee

Died 1 October 1915, aged 22

Found fatally injured in a river after he apparently fell in on guard duty.

Const Charles McGee

Died 24 April 1916, aged 23

Killed in the Sinn Fein rising after being captured by armed rebels.

Const John Hurley

Died 26 April 1916, aged 23

Sgt Thomas Rourke

Died 27 April 1916, aged 42

Fatally shot when attempting to arrest a rebel volunteer at his home.

Const Patrick Whelan

Died 26 April 1916, aged 34

Fatally shot in an exchange of fire between an RIC patrol and rebels.

Dist Insp Harry Smyth, 41

Posthumously  awarded the Constabulary Medal for Gallantry.

 Sgt John Young, 42

Sgt John Shanagher, 48

Const James Cleary, 28

Const James Gormley, 25

Const James Hickey, 49

Const Richard McHale, 22

Died 28 April 1916

Co Insp Alexander Gray

Died 10 May 1916, aged 57

All shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.

Const Christopher Miller

Died 27 April 1916, aged 29

Shot dead on duty in Dublin during the Sinn Fein rising.

H/Const William Nelson Rowe

Died 2 May 1916, aged 49

Shot dead attempting to arrest rebel volunteers in a house.

Const Michael J. McDermott

Died 4 February 1917, aged 30

Died of a fractured spine as the result of an accidental injury on duty.

1919 - 1922

The years 1919 to 1922 saw the Irish War of Independence leading to the partition of Ireland. During this period some 500 members of the Royal Irish Constabulary lost their lives, mainly through acts of politically motivated violence. The Rank of Cadet here refers to the Officer Cadets of the Auxiliary Division.

Const James McDonnell, 56

Const Patrick O`Connell, 36

Died 21 January 1919

Shot dead when ambushed by IRA gunmen while escorting explosives.

Dist Insp (Rtd) John Charles Milling

Died 30 march 1919, aged 46

A former RIC officer and Resident Magistrate shot at home at night.

Const Martin O`Brien

Died 6 April 1919, aged 35

Shot dead by IRA gunmen trying to free a prisoner he was guarding.

Const Michael Enright

Died 13 May 1919, aged 35

Sgt Peter Wallace

Died 14 May 1919, aged 47

Fatally shot by IRA gunmen while escorting a prisoner by train.

Dist Insp Michael Hunt

Died 23 June 1919, aged 46

Shot in the back and killed by IRA gunmen while on duty in a crowd.

Const Michael James Murphy

Died 4 August 1919, aged 20

Sgt  John Riordan

5 August 1919, aged 44

Fatally shot while cycling on duty when ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Const Timothy Murphy

Died 22 August 1919, aged 33

Accidentally shot when he dropped the police revolver he was unloading.

Sgt Philip Brady

Died 2 September 1919, aged 48

Shot dead when his bicycle patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Const William Agar

Died 31 October 1919, aged  37

Shot dead while on barracks duty when he answered the door.

Const Edward Bolger

Died 14 December 1919, aged 48

Shot dead in an ambush as he walked unarmed to his barracks.

 Const William James Murtagh

Died 26 December 1919, aged 21

Shot dead by the accidental discharge of a colleague's rifle.

 Const Maurice Keough

Died 31 December 1919, aged 32

Fatally wounded at a disturbance when shot by mistake by a colleague.

Const Luke Finegan

Died 22 January 1920, aged 29

Shot dead in an ambush by three men as he walked home from duty.

Const Edward J. Mulholland

Died 8 February 1920 aged 32

Accidentally shot by a colleague as he loaded his revolver.

Const Michael Neenan

Died 12 February 1920, aged 32

Fatally wounded by a bomb when his barracks was attacked by IRA.

Posthumously  awarded the Constabulary Medal for Gallantry

Const John Martin Heanue

Died 5 March 1920, aged 24

Shot and fatally wounded as he called at a village grocers shop.

Const Thomas Ryan

Died 9 March 1920, aged 39

Fatally wounded during an IRA bomb attack on his barracks.

Sgt George Neazer

Died 10 March 1920, aged 42

Shot dead by an IRA gang while he was escorting a land steward.

Const Timothy Scully

Died 11 March 1920, aged 64

Shot dead when his patrol was ambushed returning to barracks.

Const Charles Healy, 25

Const James Rocke, 26

Died 17 March 1920

Fatally shot when ambushed by several gunmen as they left church.

Const Joseph Murtagh

Died 19 March 1920, aged 45

Shot dead in an ambush returning from a colleague's funeral.

Dist Insp (Rtd) Alan Bell

Died 26 March 1920, aged 62

A former RIC officer and a Resident Magistrate shot by IRA men in Dublin.

Const William Finn, 23

Const Daniel McCarthy, 25

Died 9 April 1920

Shot dead in an ambush while cycling with a patrol to court.

Sgt Patrick Finnerty

Died 16 April 1920, aged 50

Fatally shot in the back escorting an illegal Sinn Fein march.

Const Patrick Foley

Died 16 April 1920, aged 25

Found shot dead after being kidnapped by an armed gang.

Const Martin Clifford

Died 17 April 1920, aged 21

Fatally shot when ambushed while home on leave from his station.

Sgt Patrick J. Carroll

Died 18 April 1920, aged 41

Shot in the back and killed by IRA gunmen while leaving church

Posthumously awarded the Constabulary Medal for Gallantry.

Sgt Cornelius Crean, 48

Const Patrick McGoldrick, 59

Died 25 April 1920

Shot dead when their patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Sgt Francis J. McKenna

Died 3 May 1920, aged 39

Shot dead in an IRA ambush when returning from court.

Sgt John Edward Brady

Died 9 May 1920, aged 50

Died of gunshot wounds received in an IRA attack on his barracks.

Sgt Patrick McDonnell

Died 10 May 1920, aged 49

Shot dead in an ambush while making his way to an RIC Hut.

Sgt John Flynn, 51

Constabulary Medal for Gallantry.

Const Edward Dunne, 40

Constabulary Medal for Gallantry.

Const William Brick, 32

Died 10 May 1920

Shot dead when their police patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Sgt Denis Garvey, 47

Const Daniel Harrington, 43

Died 11 May 1920

Killed after boarding a tram-car by gunmen already on board.

D/Sgt Denis Moroney

Died 15 May 1920, aged 40

Fatally shot assisting officers to disperse rioters in Derry City.

Sgt Kyran Dunphy

Died 19 May 1920, aged 30

Sgt Patrick Hearty

Died 22 June 1920, aged 53

Fatally shot after visiting the doctor when ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Sgt Thomas Kane, 48

Const Joseph P. Morton, 47

Died 28 May 1920

Killed when an IRA gun and bomb attack destroyed their RIC barracks.

Both posthumously  awarded the Constabulary Medal for Gallantry.

Sgt Timothy Holland

Died 9 June 1920, aged 41

Fatally shot when his patrol was attacked by several gunmen.

Const Thomas King

Died 12 June 1920, aged 26

Shot dead off duty and unarmed when attacked by masked men.

Const John J. Carroll

Died 11 June 1920, aged 38

Shot dead by a gunman while in a hotel bar with a colleague.

Const Pierce Doogue

Died 15 June 1920, aged 42

Killed by a stone while on leave aiding colleagues at a disturbance.

Dist Insp Percival S. Lea-Wilson

Died 15 June 1920, aged 33

Shot dead by five men in a car as he returned home from shopping.

Sgt John J. Campion

Died 17 June 1920 aged 41

Accidentally shot when his revolver fell onto the Barracks floor.

Const James Brett

Died 21 June 1920, aged 49

Shot dead when his bicycle patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Const Michael Horan

Died 25 June 1920, aged 38

Shot dead after his name had been put on an IRA 'black list'.

Sgt Robert Tobin

Died 2 July 1920, aged 42

Shot dead when his patrol was ambushed returning to barracks.

H/Const Samuel Perrott

Died 3 July 1920 aged 49

Died of heart failure after being struck by a stone during rioting.

Const Alexander Will

Died 11 July 1920, aged 24

Killed by a bomb during a sustained IRA night attack on his barracks.

Posthumously  awarded the Constabulary Medal for gallantry.

Sgt John G. Stokes

Died 12 July 1920, aged 21

Shot dead during a sustained IRA attack on his barracks.

Const Michael Lenihan, 34

Const George Roche, 32

Died 13 July 1920

Shot dead when their mobile patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Const Martin Clarke

Died 14 July 1920, aged 31

Shot dead when a police party was ambushed while going to court.

Const Patrick Fahy

Died 15 July 1920, aged 25

Fatally shot when his bicycle patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Div/Cmr Gerard B. Ferguson Smyth

Died 17 July 1920, aged 34

Shot dead by IRA gunmen while off duty in Cork City Country Club.

Const James F. Masterson

Died 17 J