The Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) was the armed police force of the island Ireland under British rule from 1814 until 1922 and incorporated the Peace Preservation Force from 1814 to 1922, the County Constabulary from 1822 to 1836, the Irish Constabulary from 1836 until 1867 when it was granted the prefix ‘Royal’ in 1867 for the successful suppression of the Fenian Rising. A separate unarmed civic police force, the Dublin Metropolitan Police controlled the capital Dublin and its environs, and the cities of Belfast and London(derry), originally had their own police forces which were incorporated into the RIC. The role of the Irish Revenue Police was also incorporated into the RIC in October 1857. The RIC’s successful system of policing influenced the Canadian North-West Mounted Police (predecessor of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Terra Nova Constabulary and the the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary in Newfoundland and the Victoria Police in Australia.
The RIC had its purpose built training depot since 1842 at the Phoenix Park, Dublin and its cadet-trained officers corps were successful in attaining primary posts in the United Kingdom and throughout the British Empire. In consequence of the Anglo-Irish Treaty signed in December 1921, the RIC was disbanded on 31 August 1922 and replaced by the Civic Guards which was formed on 7 February 1922 and re-titled the Garda Siochana in the Irish Free State in 1923 and the Royal Ulster Constabulary formed on 1 June 1922 in Northern Ireland.
Royal Irish Constabulary Casualties – Easter Rising 1916
CONSTABLE CHARLES McGEE
RIC 66908
Born 1892, Co. Donegal
Died 24 April 1916, aged 23
Castlebellingham, Co. Louth
Killed in the Sinn Fein rising after being captured by armed rebels.
Buried in Gortahork Cemetery, Co. Donegal
CONSTABLE PATRICK WHELAN
RIC 63409
Born 1882, Co. KIlkenny
Died 26 April 1916, aged 34
Carnmore, Co. Galway
Fatally shot in an exchange of fire between an RIC patrol and rebels.
Buried in Bohermore Cemetery, Galway, Co. Galway
CONSTABLE JOHN HURLEY
RIC 67150
Born 1892, Co. Cork
Died 26 April 1916, aged 23
Lisvernane, Co. Tipperary
Fatally shot when attempting to arrest a rebel volunteer at his home.
Buried in St. Finian’s Cemetery, Castletownbere, Co. Cork
SERGEANT THOMAS FELIX ROURKE
RIC 56214
Born 1873
Died 27 April 1916, aged 42
Lisvernane, Co. Tipperary
Fatally shot when attempting to arrest a rebel volunteer at his home
Buried in Clonbeg Cuhurch of Ireland Cemetery, Glen of Aherlow, Co. Tipperary.
DISTRICT INSPECTOR HARRY SMYTH
RIC 59040
Born 1874, Hertfordshire
Died 28 April 1916, aged 41
Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.
Buried in Ardbracken Cemetery, Navan, Co. Meath.
SERGEANT JOHN YOUNG
RIC 58036
Born September 1873, Co. Cavan
Died 28 April 1916, aged 42
Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.
Buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Navan, Co. Meath.
SERGEANT JOHN SHANAGHER
RIC 54677
Born 1868
Died 28 April 1916, aged 48
Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.
Buried in Killlina Cemetery, Co. Roscommon.
CONSTABLE JAMES CLEARY
RIC 64900
Born 1888, Co. Galway
Died 28 April 1916, aged 28
Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.
Buried in Tuam, Co. Galway.
CONSTABLE JAMES GORMLEY
RIC 66800
Born 1891, Co. Sligo
Died 28 April 1916, aged 25
Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.
Buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Navan, Co. Meath.
CONSTABLE JAMES HICKEY
RIC 54582
Born 1867, Co. Kilkenny
Died 28 April 1916, aged 49
Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.
Buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Navan, Co. Meath.
CONSTABLE RICHARD McHALE
RIC 67072
Born 1894. Co. Galway
Died 28 April 1916, aged 22
Ashbourne, Co. Meath
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.
Buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Navan, Co. Meath.
COUNTY INSPECTOR ALEXANDER GRAY
Born 1858, Co. Tyrone
Wounded 28 April 1916 & Died 10 May 1916, aged 57
Ashbourme, Co. Meath
Shot and fatally wounded in an ambush by large numbers of rebels.
Buried in Esker Cemetery, Lucan, Co. Dublin.
CONSTABLE CHRISTOPHER MILLAR
RIC 63620
Born 1886, Co. Limerick
Died 27 April 1916, aged 29
Dublin City
Shot dead on duty in Dublin during the Sinn Fein rising.
He was attending a course of instruction in Portobello Barracks.
St. John’s Hospital (Bully’s Acre) Cemetery, Kilmainham, Dublin.
HEAD CONSTABLE WILLIAM NELSON ROWE
RIC 52673
Born 1867, Co. Wexford
Died 2 May 1916, aged 49
Bawnard House, Castlelyons, Co. Cork
Shot dead attempting to arrest rebel volunteers in a house.
Buried in Castlehyde Church of Ireland Cemetery, Co. Cork.