A Tribute to the RUC

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Sat, 03 Apr 2010 12:10:41 PST

A powerful video tribute to the RUC. You'll need your speakers turned on to appreciate this fully.

Garda Sergeant & Drill Instructor Dick Hearns

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:34:35 PST

Sergeant Richard (Dick) Hearns joined the Garda in 1928 aged 21, having previously served in the Irish Army where he had qualified as a physical training instructor. He became interested in boxing and entered a number of contests near his native Ballina. Garda Commissioner Eoin O'Duffy heard about his boxing prowess, and being keen to promote the sport in the force, ensured that Hearns was taken on as a recruit. He was a boxer in the Garda from 1928 until 1939 and then served as Drill Instructor for new recruits at the Garda Depot in Phoenix Park, Dublin from 1939 to 1964 when he retired.

This scene taken around 1930 in Ballina and shows Hearns with a collection of trophies, his sister in the background.

With thanks to forum member The Third Policeman, whose photo this is.

Sgt Dick Hearns

Questions and comments

feeds@kickapps.com (Peter Mc RIC) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 16:00:14 PST

Post any queries and comments relating to Irish policing post-1922 here.

Post-1922 Irish Policing

A Tribute to the RUC

Garda Sergeant & Drill Instructor Dick Hearns

Questions and comments