Tewksbury Public Library

46 men dead, the Royal Irish Constabulary in County Tipperary 1919-22, John Reynolds

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages 202-211) and index

illustrations

index present

non fiction

46 men dead

bibliography

952470878

John Reynolds

the Royal Irish Constabulary in County Tipperary 1919-22

The RIC was comprised primarily of Catholic Irishmen. In January 1919 the IRA began their campaign against them with the Soloheadbeg ambush. In the next four years, 493 members were killed and hundreds more injured. Forty-six policemen were killed in Tipperary alone, making it one of the most violent counties in Ireland, in the most violent province. The RIC has been portrayed as the 'eyes and ears of Dublin Castle' or an oppressive colonial police force subjugating its fellow Irishmen. But the truth is a bit closer to home: many members were Irishmen who joined because it was a secure job with prospects and a pension at the end of service. When confronted with a volunteer army of young and dedicated guerrilla fighters, it was unable to cope. When the conflict ended, the RIC was disbanded, not at the insistence of the Provisional Government, but of its own members. This book is a thought-provoking look at the grim reality of the conflict in Tipperary, a microcosm of the wider battle that was the Irish War of Independence. -- Publisher description

'Six dead policemen': the Soloheadbeg ambush and its consequences -- An 'outbreak of Shinnerea': March to December 1930 -- The storm before the calm: January to July 1921 -- The 'unemployable period': truce, treaty and disbandment -- Conclusion

Forty-six men dead