A New Police Force - The Garda Siochana
Fórsa Úr Constáblachta - an Garda Síochána
On the 30th of September 1922, the first fifty unarmed Gardaí arrived in Donegal. Among them were Pat Dillon no. 215 from County Clare and Terence Shields, no. 819 from County Offaly. They were to be the first Civic Guards appointed to the former R.I.C. barracks in Falcarragh.
Ar an 20ú lá de mhí na bhFaoilleach 1922, cuireadh deireadh leis an R.I.C. agus bunaíodh fórsa úr, An Garda Síochána.
Tháinig an chéad bhuíon de chaoga Garda, gan arm, go Dún na nGall ar an 30ú lá de Mheán Fómhair 1922, faoi cheannas an Cheannfoirt Mac Manúsa. Ina measc, bhí Pat Diolún, Uimh 215, ó Chontae an Chláir agus Toirealach Ó Siail, Uimh 819, as Uíbh Fhailí. Ba iadsan an chéad dá Gharda a bhí lonnaithe ar an Fhál Charrach sa bheairic a bhí ag an R.I.C. roimhe sin.
Tháinig an chéad bhuíon de chaoga Garda, gan arm, go Dún na nGall ar an 30ú lá de Mheán Fómhair 1922, faoi cheannas an Cheannfoirt Mac Manúsa. Ina measc, bhí Pat Diolún, Uimh 215, ó Chontae an Chláir agus Toirealach Ó Siail, Uimh 819, as Uíbh Fhailí. Ba iadsan an chéad dá Gharda a bhí lonnaithe ar an Fhál Charrach sa bheairic a bhí ag an R.I.C. roimhe sin.
Service Record - Pat Dillon
| An Garda Síochána | Reg. No. 215 |
| Date of Birth | 10 May 1897 |
| Date of Appointment | 9 March 1922 |
| Height | 5 feet 10 _ inches |
| Home Address | Caherhurley, Bodyke, Clare |
| Former Occupation | Farmer |
| Recommended by | Rev. W. Kennedy, C.C., Bodyke, Co. Clare |
| Date of Marriage | 5 August 1926 |
| Station | Division | Date |
| Falcarragh | Donegal | 30 September 1922 |
| Rossport | Donegal | 6 October 1926 |
| Balla | Mayo | 25 October 1926 |
| Ballinrobe | Mayo | 5 June 1930 |
| Ballintra | Donegal | 27 October 1932 |
| Donegal | Donegal | 29 March 1939 |
| Monetary Awards | Good Police Duty | 1927 - 1958 |
| Date of Retirement | 9 May 1960 | Exemplary Service |
| Total Service | 38 years 62 days | |
| Date of Death | 12 August 1990 |
Service Record - Terence Sheil
| An Garda Síochána | Reg. No. 819 |
| Date of Birth | 22 July 1896 |
| Date of Appointment | 26 April 1922 |
| Height | 5 feet 10 _ inches |
| Home Address | Newtown, Rhode, Offaly |
| Former Occupation | Farmer |
| Recommended by | Rev. Thomas Norris, P.P., Rhode |
| Date of Marriage | 8 February 1937 |
| Station | Division | Date |
| Falcarragh | Donegal | 30 September 1922 |
| Bunninadeden | Sligo/Leitrim | 26 August 1925 |
| Carrigart | Donegal | 24 November 1933 |
| Ballyshannon | Donegal | 22 February 1933 |
| Toomevara | Tipperary | 7 May 1935 |
| Clerihan | Tipperary | 23 August 1935 |
| Shannonbridge | Kildare/Offaly | 24 January 1936 |
| Castledermot | Kildare/Offaly | 23 March 1937 |
| Ballytore | Kildare/Offaly | 10 February 1938 |
| Birr | Kildare/Offaly | 15 December 1938 |
| Monetary Awards | Good Police Duty | 1927 - 1952 |
| Date of Retirement | 21 July 1959 | Exemplary Service |
| Total Service | 37 years 87 days | |
| Date of Death | 28 July 1962 |
1923 - 2001 Sergeants at Falcarragh
| 1923 | Circa. James Corby |
| 1925-1925 | Michael Neville (4770) |
| 1925-1934 | Michael Baker (4673) |
| 1935-1938 | Seán O Baoighill (2467) |
| 1938-1941 | Padraig O Flanagain (7392) |
| 1942-1943 | S Ó hEalaithe (6135) |
| 1943-1944 | Enrí an Fhir Léighinn (3827) |
| 1944-1946 | Marcus O Drioghnáin (6421) |
| 1947-1963 | Alasdair Mac Domhnaill (7925) |
| 1964-1966 | P O Domhnaill (10373) |
| 1966-1969 | T.B. O Dubhtaigh (12675) |
| 1970-1974 | S.M.E. O Baréad (10846) |
| 1974-1975 | M. Crowe (12802) |
| 1977-1984 | N. Bracken (12798 A) |
| 1984-1986 | J.P. McGinley (18700c) |
| 1986-1987 | J.M. McPhilips (19989c) |
| May 1987 - July 1988 | No Sgt. |
| 1988-2001 | M.J. Kearns (15975 A) |
The Patrol notebook had to be filled every day. It was necessary to account for the area surveyed and the incidents observed. “Rising Patrols” had to be performed between 11pm and 3am each month. The monitoring of the Gardaí was recorded in the Station Diary. The Sergeant had to report whether or not his Gardaí attended weekly mass. A compulsory night role was called by a senior Garda. Each Garda was only entitled to six hours leave from the barracks in any one month for dances. To be granted leave, it was necessary to make applications to Superintendent’s office in Letterkenny and to give details as to the reason for seeking leave.
Chaithfí leabhar nótaí an phatróil a líonadh isteach gach uile lá agus cuntas a bheith breactha síos ar an gceantar a clúdaíodh agus eachtraí ar bith a tharla. Chaithfí “Rising Patrols” a dhéanamh idir an 11 a chlog san oíche agus an 3 a chlog ar maidin gach mí. Bhí monatóireacht déanta ar na Gardaí agus cuntas scríofa isteach i nDialann an Stáisiúin. Bhí ar an Sáirsint a bhreacadh síos cé acu a chuaigh a chuid Gardaí chuig an Aifreann ar an Domhnach nó nach ndeachaigh. Bhí glao rolla éigeantach le déanamh ag Garda sinsearach gach uile oíche. Ní raibh ach sé huaire d’am saor sa mhí dlite do gach Garda sa dóigh go dtiocfadh leis a ghabháil chuig damhsaí. Le ham saor a bheith ceadaithe, chaithfí iarratas a dhéanamh chuig oifig an Cheannfoirt i Leitir Ceanainn agus mioneolas a thabhairt faoi cén fáth go raibhthas ar lorg am saor.
Location
An tSean Bheairic
An tSráid Mhór
An Fál Carrach
Co. Dhún na nGall
F92 YE2C
