THE HOUNDING OUT OF THE R.I.C.

Dunstan Times, Issue 3129, 7 August 1922, Page 2

THE HOUNDING OUT OF THE R.I.C.

(li\ an Ex-Constabli’.)

Before 1 lie period of English history known to the Sinn Foin element ol the, British Empire as “the war,” the Royal Irish Constable was the Irishman’s lies! friend. Should a creel ol pig-5 be- mislaid at a fair, or your “ant’s” cousin give you a bloody nose, it was always a case for the “pollis.” and there, the matter ended. Whim, therefore, “the Peace ’ came and with it the disbanding ol file Royal Irish Constabulary, Dublin Castle decreed Hi its wisdom that all ex-con-stables should be returned with thanks 'o their respective homes, there is live happily over after. Hut as there. were certain old scores to be paid off, it became apparent that many a constable had been sent to his death. After a sufficient number ol murders had been reported, a concentration of constables or ex-const aides was ordained and a free passage to England found for them. . ~ It wais assumed at the time, by tho “Castle” at all events, that the families left behind would not be molested, and might remain safe at home until the clouds rolled by, and all wore once more united in a peaceful Ireland. I;,i( some of the- husbands who- knev heller and thought otherwise took the law into their own hand's and quite naturally went to see after “herself, and perhaps that small stock of savings hidden in a safe place. A number of these uu'ii were shot at right—at that time in all probability by local gunmen. Others got dear in the clothes in which they stood or ran in, and with naught besides. From some rate retreat they sent in official claims for. damages, the money to he used in getting through an enemy country to tire coast. In each case the reply wa.s the same. “As you have disregarded instructions, your claim cannot he- considered.” Then began a systematic “eating np of Royal Irish' Constabulary homes. House after house went up in flames, family after family was turned adrift, to quit Ireland at forty-eight hours notice or take the consequences. Many of tho wives and cluldren were treated with the greatest brutality. At this moment a stream of poor outcasts is wending its pninfill wny towards tn<? eastern ports, in the hope ol finding safety and succour in England. To <’ivo some idea of their number it may he 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 mue children, and there were three small children will' no one* to look sifter tuoin. Tim dailv total rises steadily, and it is thought that at any moment now there m,-iv he a rush, unless the ports arc closed to emigrants, of from fIOO to ■IDO families. Whv this dead set on the old Royal Irish Constabulary, who for years have lived in harmony with those about them, and who. by the way, must not l,e confused with the Auxiliary Division. a force raised by the British Government as a temporary measure? The answer is simple. The older members of the Royal Irish Constabulary. having been stationed for years in their respective districts Know the bad from the good, and can give any Government that may he set up under Hie “treaty” useful information. It has been decreed, therefore, by the Bolshevist element that all the older members of the Royal Irish Constabulary. their wives, and families, shall be'hounded into exile, or otherwise put mil of the way.