ROOTS

HOME . The organization known today as the Royal Ulster Constabulary has a very ancient pedigree. The means of safeguarding the peace in Ireland evolved over many centuries. It was on May 20, 1836, however, that the British government adopted the law known as the Constabulary (Ireland) Act which organized a national police force for all of Ireland, then under British rule. This organization, originally known as the Irish Constabulary, was an important step forward in the evolution of modern law enforcement. Unfortunately, because of the unsettled political situation that persisted in Ireland, the central government at Dublin Castle used this police agency to enforce laws and policies that were hugely unpopular with the Irish people.

The central government was happy with its constabulary and eventually granted it the privilege of being called the Royal Irish Constabulary. As a consequence of its association with evictions of Irish people from their homes and lands and other hated policies, at the time of partition in 1922, the new Irish state disbanded the RIC and organized a totally new police force known as the Garda Siochana. In the six counties of the North, which remained under British rule, the remnants of the RIC were organized into the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

RUC badge

The RUC is and always has been a legitimate and highly professional law enforcement agency. But having, as it has, to operate in a divided community in which much of the populace does not accept its authority and in a province in which local government has been supplanted by direct rule from London for some thirty years now, it has had big problems. Moreover, the violence known as the Troubles has hit the rank and file of the RUC very hard indeed. Over the past thirty years, some 302 members of the force have died as victims of sectarian violence. Thousands more have been injured, many so seriously as to be permanently disabled. Whatever one thinks of the problem of governance in Northern Ireland, these men and women and their families deserve our respect and sympathy.

On November 23, 1999, Her Majesty the Queen bestowed upon the Royal Ulster Constabulary the highest award that the British government has created for valor that may be given to a civilian. It is called the George Cross. Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan accepted it on behalf of the men and women of the RUC at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Said Her Majesty: "I admire your determination to maintain the rule of law, and to provide a police service for all the people during some of the most difficult times in the history of this Province. A terrible price has been paid for this brave and resolute stand."

The Queen awards the George Cross to a RUC representative

A terrible price has been paid. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth presents the George Cross to a representative of the Royal Ulster Constabulary.

A terrible price indeed. Now, in addition to everything else, this organization is going through enormous internal change in accordance with the terms of the Good Friday Peace Agreement and the recommendations of the Patten Report.

Sir Ronnie bears the George Cross

Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan and the rank and file of the Royal Ulster Constabulary bear the George Cross homeward to Northern Ireland.
It happens that over a century ago, a man named George Stephens served in the Royal Irish Constabulary. He was my great-grandfather. I don't know much about him except that he and his family are buried in a place called Stradbally, County Waterford under a gravestone on which is proudly recorded his RIC affiliation. It must have been difficult for him. He worked as a policeman for a government that created an environment that prompted almost all of his many children to leave Ireland for good. But the little people like George Stephens don't call the shots.

Today, I consider the RUC to be the successor to my great-grandfather's old outfit and I care what happens to it under the Patten Report and under the stewardship of Oversight Commissioner Tom Constantine. That latter fact makes me optimistic, to use one of Professor Constantine's favorite words.

At any rate, there has been a traveling exhibition on the accomplishments and history of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. It has been shown already at the Parliament in Westminster and at the Dail in Dublin. It recently opened at Stormont, where the Northern Ireland Assembly sits. We aim to bring it to the United States, specifically to Albany where Professor Constantine is on the faculty of our State University. We have asked a prominent Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly for his help in doing so.

The George Cross


7 September 2000

The Honourable Sean Neeson
The Assembly
Parliament Buildings
Stormont, Belfast BT4 3XX

Dear Mr. Neeson:

I compliment you and your colleague Jane Morrice for hosting the opening reception for the Royal Ulster Constabulary historical exhibit at Stormont. It was particularly heartwarming to learn of your solicitousness toward the families of fallen and disabled officers. Having been involved over the past decade in the creation of a number of programs and initiatives to aid and comfort families of police officers killed or disabled in the line of duty here in New York and elsewhere, I am well aware of the importance of the special continuity and connection between survivors and disabled officers and the police organizations they served. Your kindness and sensitivity are especially to be appreciated during this difficult time of transition for the Royal Ulster Constabulary and its extended family.

The Irish Times this morning reported Chief Constable Sir Ronnie Flanagan's words spoken at this event: "I want to see this transformation as the continuation of a journey rather than a new beginning." I started tagging along on this journey recently when my friend Professor Tom Constantine accepted the call to serve as Oversight Commissioner for the implementation of the Patten Commission reforms. In the course of learning more about the Professor's task and the agency with which he is working, I came to a new appreciation of my own family's connection to that historic journey about which the Chief Constable spoke so eloquently.

My great-grandfather George Stephens of Stradbally, County Waterford served as a member of the Royal Irish Constabulary at the end of the 19th Century. He and his family were so proud of that association that they all lie under a gravestone on which his affiliation is recorded. I consider the RUC to be the contemporary successor to my great-grandfather's old outfit and the Police Service of Northern Ireland to be part of its future. I also consider the RIC to be the great-grandfather of all the great modern police agencies with which I have been associated.

The common thread running through all of this history is the dedication and bravery of the men and women who serve and the families who love and support them. Surprisingly, this history, especially that of the RUC, is not well known or appreciated in the United States. We should really do something to turn that around. It wouldn't be that difficult and this is how I'd suggest we do it.

Here in New York, we are so proud of Professor Constantine and his contribution to this noble cause that words can scarce express it. I would suggest that in his honor whoever makes decisions about these things consider making the next venue for the RUC exhibition to be here in our Capital District where the Professor serves on the distinguished faculty of the State University of New York. Perhaps you would be so kind as to direct this suggestion to the appropriate authority.

Sincerely,
TERRY O'NEILL
Albany, New York

Constantine Coat of Arms

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