Royal Irish Constabulary
1867 - 1922

 


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 January 1874, 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 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.



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1916
The last week of April saw the Easter Rising by Irish Republican groups with a Proclamation of the Republic made in Dublin; it was quickly put down by Crown Forces. Three unarmed members of the Dublin Metropolitan Police were also killed.


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

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
Died 28 April 1916, aged 41
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.

Sgt John Young
Died 28 April 1916, aged 42
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.

Sgt John Shanagher
Died 28 April 1916, aged 48
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.

Const James Cleary
Died 28 April 1916, aged 28
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.

Const James Gormley
Died 28 April 1916, aged 25
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.

Const James Hickey
Died 28 April 1916, aged 49
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.

Const Richard McHale
Died 28 April 1916, aged 22
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.

Co Insp Alexander Gray
Died 10 May 1916, aged 57
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.


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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.


Const James McDonnell
Died 21 January 1919, aged 56
Shot dead when ambushed by IRA gunmen while escorting explosives.

Const Patrick O`Connell
Died 21 January 1919, aged 36
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
Fatally shot by IRA gunmen while escorting a prisoner by train.

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

Sgt John Riordan
Died 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.

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
Died 17 March 1920, aged 25
Fatally shot when ambushed by several gunmen as they left church.

Const James Rocke
Died 17 March 1920, aged 26
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
Died 9 April 1920, aged 23
Shot dead in an ambush while cycling with a patrol to court.

Const Daniel McCarthy
Died 9 April 1920, aged 25
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

Sgt Cornelius Crean
Died 25 April 1920, aged 48
Shot dead when their patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Const Patrick McGoldrick
Died 25 April 1920, aged 59
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
Died 10 May 1920, aged 51
Shot dead when their police patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Const Edward Dunne
Died 10 May 1920, aged 40
Shot dead when their police patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Const William Brick
Died 10 May 1920, aged 32
Shot dead when their police patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Sgt Denis Garvey
Died 11 May 1920, aged 47
Killed after boarding a tram-car by gunmen already on board.

Const Daniel Harrington
Died 11 May 1920, aged 43
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
Fatally shot after visiting the doctor when ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Sgt Patrick Hearty
Died 22 June 1920, aged 53
Fatally shot after visiting the doctor when ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Sgt Thomas Kane
Died 28 May 1920, aged 48
Killed when an IRA gun and bomb attack destroyed their RIC barracks.

Const Joseph P. Morton
Died 28 May 1920, aged 47
Killed when an IRA gun and bomb attack destroyed their RIC barracks.

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.

Sgt John G. Stokes
Died 12 July 1920, aged 21
Shot dead during a sustained IRA attack on his barracks.

Const Michael Lenihan
Died 13 July 1920, aged 34
Shot dead when their mobile patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Const George Roche
Died 13 July 1920, aged 32
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 July 1920, aged 35
Killed in an ambush as he travelled home on leave.

Const Patrick Carey
Died 19 July 1920, aged 29
Shot dead returning from court when ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Const James Burke
Died 19 July 1920, aged 28
Shot dead returning from court when ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Sgt Thomas Robert Armstrong
Died 21 July 1920, aged 56
Fatally shot while on foot patrol near his barracks in Ballina.

D/Sgt William Mulherin
Died 25 July 1920, aged 38
After ignoring threats he was shot dead going to church by two men.

Const James Murray
Died 28 July 1920, aged 26
Shot dead when out walking off duty.

Const Walter Oakley
Died 29 July 1920, aged 20
An English recruit he was fatally shot by IRA men while off duty.

Const Ernest S. Watkins
Died 7 August 1920, aged 29
Fatally shot when his patrol was ambushed by a large IRA unit.

Const Cyril Henry Nathan
Died 15 August 1920, aged 19
Fatally shot off duty when attacked while leaving church.

Dist Insp William Harding Wilson
Died 16 August 1920, aged 56
Shot in the head and killed when in plain clothes about to enter a shop.

Const James Duffy
Died 20 August 1920 aged 21
Shot by mistake when his mobile unit was challenged by foot police.

Const Smyth Thomas Brennan
Died 21 August 1920, aged 41
Shot dead when his police patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Sgt Daniel Maunsell
Died 21 August 1920, aged 49
Ambushed and killed returning to barracks from his home.

Const Patrick Haverty
Died 21 August 1920, aged 40
Fatally shot when their police patrol was ambushed leaving barracks.

Sgt Patrick Reilly
Died 31 August 1920, aged 47
Fatally shot when their police patrol was ambushed leaving barracks.

D/Const John Hanlon
Died 21 August 1920, aged 33
Shot dead while in plain clothes in a shop.

Const Martin Foley
Died 21 August 1920, aged 33
Fatally shot when his cycle patrol was ambushed by IRA gunmen.

Dist Insp Oswald Ross Swanzy
Died 22 August 1920, aged 39
Shot dead at close range by an IRA squad as he left church off duty.

Sgt Thomas Martin Craddock
Died 22 August 1920, aged 43
Shot dead while off duty after leaving a club in the early hours.

Const John McNamara
Died 25 August 1920, aged 24
Fatally shot when his police patrol was ambushed.

Const Matthew Haugh
Died 25 August 1920, aged 25
Shot dead when his police patrol was ambushed by gunmen.

Const James Munnelly
Died 26 August 1920, aged 30
Shot and fatally wounded during an IRA attack on his barracks.

Const William J. Potter
Died 26 August 1920, aged 35
Shot dead in an ambush while cycling to his duties.

Const John Mullan
Died 27 August 1920, aged 25
Killed when his patrol was attacked while escorting a mail car.

Const Edward Murphy
Died 2 September 1920, aged 24
Fatally wounded when their patrol was ambushed while cycling to court.

Const Martin McCarthy
Died 3 September 1920, aged 28
Fatally wounded when their patrol was ambushed while cycling to court.

Const Edward Krumm
Died 8 September 1920, aged 25
Attacked in the street while off duty his revolver taken and shot dead.

Const Timothy Delaney
Died 8 September 1920, aged 30
Shot dead when their patrol was ambushed late at night.

Const John Gaughan
Died 8 September 1920, aged 34
Shot dead when their patrol was ambushed late at night.

Const William Carroll
Died 14 September 1920 aged 26
Died as a result of a road traffic accident.

Const James Donohoe
Died 20 September 1920, aged 29
Fatally wounded when their joint RIC and military patrol was ambushed.

Const John Mahony
Died 20 September 1920, aged 26
Fatally wounded when their joint RIC and military patrol was ambushed.

H/Const Peter Burke
Died 20 September 1920, aged 36
Shot dead in a public house while on his way to an RIC depot.

Const John A. Denham
Died 20 September 1920, aged 23
Accidentally shot with a rifle in unknown circumstances.

Const Reginald Hardman
Died 22 September 1920, aged 21
Fatally shot when a large number of IRA men ambushed their patrol.

Const Michael Harte
Died 22 September 1920, aged 28
Fatally shot when a large number of IRA men ambushed their patrol.

Const John Hodnett
Died 22 September 1920, aged 31
Fatally shot when a large number of IRA men ambushed their patrol.

Const Michael Kelly
Died 22 September 1920, aged 32
Fatally shot when a large number of IRA men ambushed their patrol.

Const John McGuire
Died 22 September 1920, aged 20
Fatally shot when a large number of IRA men ambushed their patrol.

Sgt Michael Hynes
Died 24 September 1920, aged 29
Fatally shot when a large number of IRA men ambushed their patrol.

Const Michael Brogan
Died 25 September 1920, aged 41
Killed when his RIC patrol was ambushed.

Const Thomas Leonard
Died 25 September 1920, aged 35
Fatally shot while on foot patrol when ambushed by two gunmen.

Sgt Martin Morgan
Died 27 September 1920, aged 44
Shot in an ambush while cycling to his barracks and died of wounds.

Sgt Denis P. McGuire
Died 29 September 1920, aged 45
Fatally shot while outside a house being searched by the army.

Const Terence Flood
Died 29 September 1920, aged 35
Shot dead when their police patrol was ambushed.

Const Edward A. Noonan
Died 29 September 1920, aged 26
Shot dead when their police patrol was ambushed.

Const John Downey
Died 29 September 1920, aged 35
Shot dead while together in a public house adjoining their barracks.

Const John Thomas Keeffe
Died 29 September 1920, aged 30
Shot dead while together in a public house adjoining their barracks.

Dist Insp James Joseph Brady
Died 30 September 1920, aged 21
Fatally shot when his mobile patrol was ambushed by an IRA unit.

Const Clarence Victor Chave
Died 3 October 1920, aged 24
Fatally wounded when his police patrol was fired on at night.

Sgt Francis Doherty
Died 7 October 1920, aged 46
Shot dead when their patrol was ambushed after leaving barracks.

Const William Stanley
Died 7 October 1920, aged 46
Shot dead when their patrol was ambushed after leaving barracks.

T/Officer Cadet William James Anderson
Died 10 October 1920 aged 28
Accidentally shot at Beggars Bush Barracks, Dublin City.

Sgt Martin G. O`Connor
Died 13 October 1920, aged 53
Fatally wounded when their motor patrol was ambushed by the IRA.

Const John Crawford
Died 13 October 1920, aged 29
Fatally wounded when their motor patrol was ambushed by the IRA.

Const Francis Gallagher
Died 13 October 1920, aged 30
Fatally wounded when their motor patrol was ambushed by the IRA.

Const Michael Kenny
Died 13 October 1920, aged 38
Fatally wounded when their motor patrol was ambushed by the IRA.


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