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Irish Constabulary Pensioners in the Coleraine district: Incorporating the Irish Constabulary and the Royal Irish Constabulary i ii Irish Constabulary Pensioners in the Coleraine district: Incorporating the Irish Constabulary and the Royal Irish Constabulary Ross Olphert Ross Olphert 2018 iii Ross Olphert has asserted the moral right to be identified as the editor of this work. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means (photocopying or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage or retrieval systems) without permission in writing from both the copyright owners and the author/publisher of this book. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders of materials used in this work. The author/publisher apologises for any errors or omissions in the acknowledgments list. The author/publisher would be grateful for the supply of any corrections. The views expressed in this work are those of the individual quoted and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author, the funders, the photographers, the publisher or other contributors to this work. iv v Contents Acknowledgements………………………………………..page v Preface ……………………………………………………………page 1 Coleraine…………………………………………………………page 8 Castlerock…………………………………………………….…page 133 Portstewart………………………………………………….….page 152 Garvagh…………………………………………….…………….page 172 Kilrea……………………………………………………….……...page 200 Conclusion………………………………………………….…..page 235 Bibliography………………………………………………….…page 238 Index……………………………………………………………….page 239 vi Preface Wanted – An RIC Pensioner requires a situation of trust in Coleraine or the neighbourhood; Presbyterian; 35 years of age. Apply “RIC” Constitution Office.1 The members of the Constabulary of Ireland and later the Royal Irish Constabulary were men drawn from all strata of society whether as ordinary constables or officers. Their backgrounds and their experiences shaped their outlook on their work and later how they occupied their time after their service, should they be so fortunate to live that long. As an all Ireland force the Constabulary was staffed by men from all counties and covered all the main religious denominations. They were, after a fashion, governed by a rule that a man could not serve in the county he was from, or connected, or where his wife was born. This was done in an effort to reduce the possibility of favour in the decisions being made on a daily basis in regards to enforcement and prosecution. A consequence of this policy was that in areas such as the Coleraine district there were police and families of policemen who came from across Ireland, who brought their own ideas and cultural ephemera to their new communities and the new relationships which they formed. Due to the roots established in these areas they would also, in many cases, choose to remain in the area after retirement, or return to the area having finished their service elsewhere. Others who originally came from the Coleraine area either returned bringing their experience with them to find employment and to raise their families, or they settled elsewhere essentially exporting their knowledge and traditions further afield. This work seeks to illustrate the variety of RIC personnel who covered these two groups and to show the extent to which the former 1 The Coleraine Constitution, 5 September 1891 – this may relate to Samuel Kennedy (see Coleraine chapter) 1 policemen became a part of their new communities. It will also illustrate that not every former constable could become a local hero or dignitary and that sometimes circumstances could result in unexpected outcomes. Indeed it may be the case that the reader may recognise names and places that connect to their own ancestral story or local area and may discover a previously unknown connection to the force. This work will examine the available information from contemporary newspapers and local records that outline the activities and associations of the RIC men and their families. Where possible this will include some of their actual service and in particular highlights, or even low points, which may have contributed to their decisions to stay or go. It will also examine in general the role of the retired RIC man and how this career path could open doors to well paid local employment. The people involved were selected through an interrogation of the online Royal Irish Constabulary pension records on www.findmypast.co.uk taken from the National Archives at Kew. Where the policeman had collected his pension at Coleraine following the end of his career and he remained in the area for a reasonable period, or permanently, I have developed the available information along with the service records for the man from the same source. There were five areas covered Coleraine and immediate area, Garvagh and immediate area, Kilrea and immediate area, Portstewart and Castlerock. Other included examples were stories of note that deserved mention due to their local connections. 2 The Royal Irish Constabulary went through a change in its rank structure in 1883. The following is a layout of the two different rank systems that were used and mentioned in this work. Pre 1883 Sub Inspector (1st, 2nd and 3rd class) 1st Class Head Constable 2nd Class Head Constable Constable Acting Constable (introduced in 1859) 1st Class Sub Constable (after one year’s service) 2nd Class Sub Constable Post 1883 District Inspector (1st, 2nd and 3rd class) 1st Class Head Constable 2nd Class Head Constable Sergeant Acting Sergeant (discontinued 1918) Constable 3 The Constabulary of Ireland and the Royal Irish Constabulary had a Reserve which will be referred to in this work. This was a body of men, initially set up in Dublin to be sent to any troubled part of Ireland as the authorities seen fit. It had an establishment of 2 sub inspectors, 4 head constables and not more than 200 sub constables. 4 The following is a timeline that uses key events in Irish history and the history of policing in Ireland that will allow the reader to interpret what was occurring when the men discussed in this work were serving. I have endeavoured to use what I believe are relevant dates. These are of course open to discussion and challenge. Year Event Relevance 1836 Constabulary of Formalised the justice Ireland Act system in Ireland and founded the Constabulary in a coherent body. 1845-1848 Famine years The lack of food and productivity in farms and rural communities pushed many sons of farmers into taking posts with the Constabulary. October 1857 Disbandment of the Members of the Irish Revenue Police Revenue Police joined the Constabulary of Ireland and the Constabulary took over duties relating to the detection of illicit distillation. 1867 Fenian Rising One of the biggest challenges for the Constabulary in relation to agrarian violence. Their efforts in dealing with abortive rising resulted in Queen Victoria bestowing the title “Royal” creating the RIC. 1870’s-1880’s The rise of the land Another challenge to movement the rule of law which 5 saw many evictions aided by police as well as attacks on landowners resulting in temporary RIC huts on their land and a move towards a more paramilitary force. This period also produced some draconian legislation that gave greater prosecutorial powers for seditious (or perceived as seditious) behaviour. 1886 First Home Rule Bill Produced division in the community, most in the north east of Ireland and saw the rise of the Unionist movement. It also produced street violence which put RIC men on the receiving end of violent protests and riots. 1914-1918 First World War Reduced the capacity of the RIC with many men going off to fight. 1916 Easter Rising Represented the beginning of a new phase of anti-British armed aggression that would bring the RIC into the front line. 1919-1921 War of Independence Campaign of violence by republican movement that 6 brought in the temporary constables (Black and Tans) and the Auxilairy Divisions to support the RIC. In reality it caused greater division and many RIC deaths. 1922 Creation of Northern Self-explanatory. Ireland and disbandment of RIC 7 Coleraine 8 ~Sub Constable Alexander Perry~ Alexander Perry’s service record is elusive and as such his date of joining, registered number and home county are unestablished. From his death record it is known that he was born around 1802. The only reference to Alexander’s service, other than his pension records was an incident in Coleraine in 1846. At that time Robert Jenkins was the Head Constable, Robert will be discussed later in this chapter. A son of Alexander, also named Robert, was born in Garvagh around 1832, however there is no indication if Alexander was serving there at this time. In the aforementioned incident Alexander was a witness to an assault on his colleague Richard Rusk on Wednesday 18th March 1846 in Coleraine. Alexander was examined in court however “no part of his evidence went to sustain the charge brought against the prisoners.” In Rusk’s evidence it was stated that the accused, Darby Gillen, had struck Rusk on the side of the head and called him a “bloody peeler.” Rusk retaliated by giving Gillen “a blow which knocked him down”, however Gillen did not go quietly to the barrack and so he and Alexander “took him by force.” There was a scuffle during which Rusk threw Gillen to the ground where Gillen proceeded to “upset” Alexander (presumably knocking him down rather than emotionally) and so Alexander and Rusk dragged Gillen on his back to the barrack.1 Alexander was pensioned on Wednesday 1st November 1848 and initially claimed his pension at Limavady. By 1859 Alexander was linked to Cross Glebe Coleraine and was farming land owned by the Rev James O’Hara. Alexander was married to Hannah (born approximately 1808) and they had at least four children. Alexander died at Cross Glebe on Saturday 8th May 1880 of a tumour on his neck which he had for around nine months.

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