Local R.I.C. Constables

The men from Cloughaneely that joined the R.I.C included James and Eddie Sweeney, Daniel Coyle, Charles McGee and John McElwaine. Since they were prohibited from serving in their own county they were posted in various locations throughout the country.

1916

Charles McGee

It is maintained that Charles McGee of Inishbofin was the first fatality of the 1916 Easter Rising. He joined the R.I.C. in 1913 and for his entire period of service was an R.I.C. constable stationed in Castlebillingham, Co. Louth. On the 23rd of April 1916, he was shot and fatally wounded by I.R.A. activists while attending to his post.
He received a military style burial in Gortahork cemetery. In June 1916, a court martial assembled at Richmond Barracks in Dublin where John McEntee, Frank Martin, Denis Leahy and James Gally were accused of his murder. The court martial sentenced McEntee, Martin and Leahy to life in prison.

Charlie McGee R.I.C. Service Record

Registration Number	66908
Name	Charles McGee
D.O.B.	6/11/1892
Native County	Donegal
Religion	Catholic
Trade/Calling	Fisherman
Appointed	10/5/1913
Allocation	Castlebellingham, Co. Louth
Death	Shot dead 24/04/1916, while on duty

Frank Matthews

Frank Matthews, a native of Armagh, joined the force in 1907. He was a constable in Cloughaneely for a number of years before resigning in 1920 for obvious political reasons. It is noted, however, on his service record that he resigned “to better his position”. His resignation did not go unnoticed by the English authorities. Subsequently his hotel, The Gweedore Bar, as it is today, experienced unpleasant visitors -The Black & Tans. Frank Matthews remained in hiding in Meencarraig until these auxiliaries left the area.

Frank Matthews Service Record

Registration Number	62409
Name	Frank H. Matthews
D.O.B.	13-12-1884
Height	5ft 9.5 ins
Native County	Armagh
Religion	Catholic
Married	26-05-15
Native County of Wife	Down / Donegal
Recommendation	D. Insp. Mahony
Trade or Calling	Tailor
Appointed	4-3-07
Allocation	Galway 1-9-1907 Cavan 25-10-1909 Limerick 8-9-1911 Donegal 16-5-1913 Cavan 14-8-1919
Reported/Favourable Records	2nd Favourable Record 21-9-18
Resigned	1-9-20
Reason for leaving	To better his position

Daniel Coyle

Daniel Coyle was born in 1895. He spent three years in the R.I.C. force stationed in Listowel, Co. Kerry and in Co. Mayo. However, once the War of Independence commenced, he like many others resigned his position as R.I.C. constable. Ironically, he became an active member of the I.R.A. training local men to fight against the R.I.C. and the Black & Tans.