Force Histories

The Bandon Watch

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 23:11:59 PST

Around 1750 a watch system was formed in the town of Bandon, Co. Cork. Little is known of this body but contemporary accounts indicate that their duties were to cry the hours at night and to keep strict watch and ward from sunset to sunrise. Although they commenced patrolling the streets after sundown, they did not give their regular cry until within an hour of midnight.

Source: RUC Historical Society Spring '91.

The Belfast Borough Police

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:51:04 PST

Constituted under the Belfast Police Act of 1800, this force policed the Belfast City area for nearly 65 years. At its peak in 1861 it numbered about 150 Constables, 12 Inspectors, 2 Detectives and 2 Chief Constables split across day and night duties. Typical of the times, they worked long hours (16 hour days on day duty) with time off only for meals. Commonly known as the 'Bulkies', a term for a policeman which survived well into the 20th Century. The force was disbanded around 1865.

Source: PICA289/17
See also "The Bulkies, Police and Crime in Belfast, 1800-1865" by Brian GriffinPublished by Irish Academic Press ISBN: 9780716526704.

The Londonderry Police

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 15:12:06 PST

This short-lived force was descended from the old Town Watch (known as the "Charleys") and was under the authority of the City of Londonderry. The men wore frock coats, top hats with bone reinforcement and carried lamps, rattles and batons. The force numbered between 8 and 20 constables and was disbanded in 1869; its duties being taken over by the RIC.
Source: RUC Historical Society Proceedings Summer/90

Comments and queries on Force Histories

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:45:57 PST

Post any comments or queries here as 'replies' to this topic.

The Parks Constabularies

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:58:01 PST

Little is known about how the parks in Dublin were policed prior to 1922. Mention is made in Royal Mint records of 1911 Visit to Ireland medals being given to certain members of the "St Stephens Green Police" and "Phoenix Park Police". These men may also have been known as 'Park Rangers', and may have been employed by the Dublin City Council.

The Constabulary of Ireland

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:56:01 PST

see "Royal Irish Constabulary"

The Royal Irish Constabulary

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:55:26 PST

put text here

The Dublin Metropolitan Police

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:54:45 PST

new text here

The Limerick City Night Constables

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:53:44 PST

An unusual arrangment applied to policing duties in Limerick up to the disbandment of the RIC in 1922. The RIC patrolled the city from 6am up until 11pm, when their duties were taken over by the City Night Watch, police employed directly by the Corporation of Limerick. They had their own uniform (blue cloth pattern rose top helmet, navy tunic and trousers with brass buttons) and at disbandment in 1922 numbered 2 Inspectors and 21 Constables.

(Source - PICA 390/21)

Further and more detailed genealogical references can be found in this link (Ask About Ireland)

And see this excellent article by Kevin Hannon on the Limerick Night Watch

The Dublin Harbour Police

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:49:31 PST

The Dublin Harbour Police, also known as the Quay Police, were first formed in November 1870 and were employed by the Dublin Port and Docks Board. They were usually retired members of the DMP or RIC.
The first Superintendent in 1870 was William Healy.

The force still exists, with the same title, but now employed by the Dublin Port Company.
Source: PICA 387/5

The Sligo Harbour Police

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:48:33 PST

This force patrolled Sligo Harbour area although the precise period of time they existed is unknown. Some indication however is given by the following:

Harbour Constables. The Sligo Harbour Commissioners hereby give Notice that in pursuance of the provisions of the 10Vic, Cap 27, sec, 17 the following five men, viz:- Martin Harte, John Gilgan, John Noone, Patrick White and Hugh Harte were duly sworn in at Borough Sessions on the 23rd. inst., to be SPECIAL CONSTABLES within the Harbour, and within one mile of the same. By Order, Thos. J. Mercer. Secretary, Harbour Office, Sligo, 26th April 1894.
The poster described above and printed by A. Gilmor, Printer, Sligo, was published and displayed on the date shown.

The following notice was also issued by Thos. J. Mercer, Secretary at the Harbour Office on the 11th September, 1906, and sent to twelve local businesses on that day - it read:
Clothing. Sligo Harbour...

The Irish Revenue Police

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:47:55 PST
The Revenue Police were first established in 1832, as armed escorts to the Customs & Excise. The Excise Service was charged with suppressing illicit distillation of alcohol, which was a cause of lost revenue and treated very seriously then, as now. Initially the members of the Revenue Police were of low quality and both poorly trained and led. However by 1836 a new commander, Colonel William Brereton, was appointed and set about reorganising the force. For the most part, a Revenue Police (R.P.) candidate was literate, single, of good character and under 25 years old. The bulk of the force was stationed in the West of Ireland, and rose to about 1100 in the 1850's. The headquarters was the Customs House, Dublin.
The constables were armed with carbines and a unique type of socket bayonet, secured to its scabbard by a spring catch so that it could not be seized during arrests of illicit distillers. They were organised along the lines of a Light Infantry and patrolled in...

The Kingstown Harbour Police

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:47:17 PST
The Kingstown Harbour Police was established in 1836 by virtue of section 59 of the Kingstown Harbour Act, and is the oldest surviving police force in Ireland. The original uniform consisted of a blue cloth jacket with red cuffs, grey pantaloons, blue waistcoat and a glazed hat. In 1924 the name was changed to the "Dún Laoghaire Harbour Police".
Source: PICA 288/12

Present day Dún Laoghaire Harbour Police badge:

The Belfast Harbour Police

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 15:46:06 PST

This constabulary was established in 1824 as a one man force. The first constable was John Bowstead, replaced a year later by Charles Gourley. The constables immediate supervisor was the Harbour Master.

By 1840 there were 6 constables and one Chief Constable - Samuel Dunlop. In 1847 the force was incorporated under the Harbours, Docks and Piers Clauses Act of 1847.

By 1861 there were 32 officers, and a helmet with 'white ornaments' was being worn. Andrew Morrow took over as Chief Constable in 1871.

At the time of the Edward VII's Visit to Ireland in 1903 the force numbered 65 men. The King approved the award of the 1903 Visit to Ireland medal to the BHP.

Helmets were discontinued in 1907 and replaced by peaked caps, bearing an uncrowned 8 pointed star.

During the...