THE HOUNDING OUT OF THE R.I.C.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3128, 31 July 1922, Page 8

THE HOUNDING OUT OF THE R.I.C.

(My :m Ex-Constable.) Before the period of English history known to the Sinn Fein element of the British Empire ns “the war,” the Royal Irish Constable was the Irishman’s best friend. Should a creel of pies be mislaid at a fair, or your “ant’s” cousin give you a bloody nose, it was always a ease for the “pollis,” and there the matter ended. When, therefore, “the Peace” came and with it the disbanding of the Hoyal Irish Constabulary, Dublin Castle decreed in its wisdom Hint all ex-con-stables should be returned with thanks to their respective homes, there is live happily ever after. Hut as there were certain old scores to he paid off. it became apparent that many a constable had been sent to his death. After a sufficient number of murders had been reported, a concentration of constables or ex-eonslahles was ordained and a free passage to England found for them. It was assumed at the time, hy the “Castle” at all events, that the families left behind would not he molested, and might remain safe at home until the clouds idled hy, and all were once more united in a peaceful! Ireland. Hut some of the husbands who know better and thought otherwise took the law into their own hands and : (piito naturally went to see after “herself.” and perhaps that small stock of savings hidden in a safe place. A number of these men were shot at sight—at that time in aI! probability by local gunmen Others gut dear in the clothes in which they stood or ran in, and with naught besides. From some safe retreat they sent in official claims for damages, the money to he used in getting through an enemy country to the coast. In each ease the reply was the same. “As yon have disregarded instructions-. your claim cannot he considered-.” Then began a systematic “eating up” of Royal Irish Constabulary homes. House after house went up in flames, family after family was turned adrift, to unit Ireland at forty-eight hours’ notice or take the consequences. Many of the wives and cinldren were treated with the greatest brutality. At tins moment a stream of poor outcasts is wending its painful way towards the eastern ports, in the bone of finding safety and succour in England. To give some idea of their number it may i>e stated that on May 19 forty-four Royal Irish Constabulary refugees—seventeen- men. five women, and twentytwo children—arrived in Chester. Among this hatch was a wife with nine children, and there were three small children with, no one to look after them. The daily total rises steadily, and it is thought that at any moment now there may he a rush, unless the ports are closed to emigrants.* of from .‘IOO to (00 families. Mb' - tin’s dead set on tbo old Royal frisb Constabulary, wbo for years have lived in hannoiiv with those about ibem. and who. bv the way, must not l>o oonl’usod w'tb (he Auviliarv Division, a force raised by the Rritish Oovernmont as a temporary measure? The answer is simple. The older members of the Roval Irish Constabulary having been stationed for years i»i their respective districts know the bad (Vein the food. and can < r ive am’ Coveniment that may be set nn under the “treaty’’ useful information. It t-o been decreed, therefore, bv the Bolshevist element that all the older iio'nibo>'u cif tbo Ifoval Irish ConstabnT'si"’ their wives, and lamilies shall I,M bounded into exile, or otherwise nut <m( of (he wav.