Dublin Metropolitan Police

Dublin, Ireland police force 1836-1925

Law enforcement agency

Dublin Metropolitan Police
Póilíní Chathair Átha Cliath

Common name| Peelers, bobbies
Abbreviation| DMP
Agency overview
Formed| 1836
Preceding agency|

* Police of the City of Dublin, Peace Preservation Force, County Constabularies

Dissolved| 1925
Superseding agency| Garda Síochána
Legal personality| Police force
Jurisdictional structure
National agency| United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Operations jurisdiction| Dublin, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Map of Dublin city, 1891
Size| 114.99 km2 (44.40 sq mi)
Population| 233,726 (1841)
304,802 (1911)
General nature|

* Local civilian police

The Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) was the police force of Dublin in British-controlled Ireland from 1836 to 1922 and then the Irish Free State until 1925, when it was absorbed into the new state's Garda Síochána.

## History

[edit]

Burial site of many members of the DMP, Glasnevin Cemetery.

### 19th century

[edit]

The Dublin city police had been subject to major reforms in 1786 and 1808.[1] Organised rural policing in Ireland began when Robert Peel, then Chief Secretary for Ireland, created the Peace Preservation Force in 1814.[2] This rudimentary paramilitary police force was designed to provide policing in rural Ireland, replacing the 18th century system of watchmen, baronial constables, revenue officers and British military forces. Peel went on to found the London Metropolitan Police.

In 1822, a new act[which?] created four improved "county" constabularies, whose organisation was based around the traditional provinces of Ireland.[2]

#### 1836: reform

[edit]

United Kingdom legislation

Dublin Police Act 1836

Act of Parliament

Parliament of the United Kingdom

Long title| An Act for improving the Police in the District of Dublin Metropolis.
Citation| 6 & 7 Will. 4. c. 29
Dates
Royal assent| 4 July 1836
Other legislation
Amended by|

* Statute Law Revision Act 1874
* Statute Law Revision Act 1890

Repealed by| Statute Law (Repeals) Act 2013

Status: Repealed

In 1836, the county constabularies were merged into a new centralised Constabulary of Ireland, and the Peace Preservation Force ceased to exist.[2] At the same time separate non-paramilitary forces were set up in the largest cities: Dublin, Belfast, and Derry. A perceived lack of impartiality following rioting in the municipal police forces of Belfast and Derry saw both forces absorbed by the national force in 1865 and 1870 respectively, and only Dublin maintained its separate force.[2] The DMP was established under the Dublin Police Act 1836 (6 & 7 Will. 4. c. 29) as an unarmed, uniformed force of one thousand day and night constables. The Castle-controlled organisation was more accountable than the untrained constables and night watchmen it replaced.[1][3]

The 1836 Act authorised the "chief governor of Ireland" to establish a police office in Dublin, supported by two salaried justices, to administer the police force which would be under the direction of the Chief Secretary for Ireland.[3] It also provided for the recruitment and appointment of policemen and the regulation of their conduct.[3] It also created powers of arrest and made arrangements for the financial affairs of the new force, including new taxation.[3]

The DMP was modelled closely on London's Metropolitan Police. Not only were the uniforms of the two forces almost indistinguishable, especially after the helmet and Bath Star were adopted, but the two forces also had a similar organisational structure; rather than a Chief Constable, they were commanded by a Commissioner, who was not a police officer, but a magistrate holding a Commission of the Peace. The first Commissioner of the Dublin Metropolitan Police was John Lewis More O'Ferrall, brother of Richard More O'Ferrall.[4] This was descended from the 18th century system of controlling parish constables, and was a sop to the public's fears about the danger of a standing police force under government control.

A policeman is about to check an approaching car near Phibsborough.

#### 1880s: Land War

[edit]

The force came under considerable pressure in the 1880s during the Land War, in which 500 policemen were injured. A series of protest meetings were held and strikes were threatened in 1882.[3]

### 20th century

[edit]

During the Lock-out, the police break up a union rally on Dublin's Sackville Street, August 1913

#### 1913–14: Dublin Lock-out

[edit]

Two men died and several hundred people were injured over the course of the five-month Dublin Lock-out, including two hundred policemen. Although the police were involved in "frequent collisions" with union members and used tactics such as baton charges against them, a vice-regal commission cleared them of wrongdoing after the events – though their reputation had suffered considerably.[3]

#### 1916 onwards

[edit]

As an unarmed urban force, the Dublin Metropolitan Police did not participate as actively in the Easter Rising of 1916 and War of Independence as did the RIC, and as such did not suffer the casualty rate of that force. Three men were killed and seven injured in the Rising.[3] One of their number David Neligan (who was an IRA agent) records in his book The Spy in the Castle that the majority of the DMP uniformed personnel observed a neutral role, restricted to traditional policing functions. The political "G" Division did not come off so lightly, and selected "G men" were first given warnings by the Irish Republican Army in April 1919. Five members of "G" Division were subsequently killed by the IRA, the first in July 1919. Several DMP officers actively assisted the IRA, most notably[5] Edward Broy, who passed valuable intelligence to Michael Collins throughout the conflict.

In the 1996 film Michael Collins, Broy is discovered and subsequently tortured and killed by the British. In reality, he was not caught and went on to become the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána in the 1930s. His fate in the film is based on that of Dick McKee, who, with Peadar Clancy and the civilian Conor Clune, was murdered after torture in Dublin Castle on "Bloody Sunday", 21 November 1920.[6]

After the creation of the Irish Free State, the DMP became known as "Políní Átha Cliath" (Police of Dublin) from 1922 to 1925, after which the force ceased to exist as a separate entity, being absorbed into the Garda Síochána (Guardians of the Peace).[3] Its last Commissioner was W.R.E. Murphy. "Dublin Metropolitan" is today a geographic region of the Garda Síochána's command structure.

Unlike the RIC, but in common with police forces in Great Britain, the DMP was an unarmed force. In contrast to the green uniformed RIC, the DMP wore dark blue with silver insignia.

## Ranks

[edit]

Ranks[7]
circa 1893–1901

Chief Commissioner  | Commissioner  | Chief
superintendent  | Superintendent  | Inspector  | Sub-Inspector  | Station
Sergeant  | Staff Sergeant  | Sergeant  | Constable  | Supernumerary
Constable
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Ranks[8][9][10][11][12]
circa 1918–1924
Commissioner  | Divisional
commissioner  | Assistant
divisional commissioner  | Chief
superintendent  | Superintendent  | Inspector  | Station
Sergeant  | Staff Sergeant  | Sergeant  | Constable  | Supernumerary
Constable
|  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Stanley H. Palmer, 'Drummond, Thomas (1797–1840)', Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, Jan 2008
2. ^ a b c d Tobias, J.J. (1975). "Police and the Public in the United Kingdom" in "Police Forces in History". Sage Publications. ISBN 978-0-8039-9928-2.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h "Statute Law Repeals: Consultation Paper – City of Dublin Repeal Proposals" (PDF). Law Commission. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 June 2011. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
4. ^ Murphy, David. "O'Ferrall, John Lewis More". Dictionary of Irish Biography. Archived from the original on 11 May 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
5. ^ Forester, Margery (2006). Michael Collins: The Lost Leader. Dublin and London: Gill & MacMillan, Limited. pp. Chapter 7 onward. ISBN 978-0717140145.
6. ^ Forester, Margery (2006). Michael Collins: The Lost Leader. Dublin and London: Gill & MacMillan, Limited. pp. Chapter 11. ISBN 978-0717140145.
7. ^ "Dublin Metropolitan Police 1836-1922". Archived from the original on 4 February 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
8. ^ "53". Constabulary and Police (Ireland) Act, 1918 (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
9. ^ "Dublin Metropolitan Police general register 1837-07 – 1925-01". Archived from the original on 30 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
10. ^ "R.I.C and D.M.P. Uniform, Badges and Buttons". Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
11. ^ "Police Forces Amalgamation Act, 1925". Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
12. ^ "War of Independence R.I.C. and D.M.P. Killed". Archived from the original on 29 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.

## External links

[edit]

* DMP Roll of Honour in the British National Police Officers Roll of Honour (since this only covers UK forces, the DMP pages only cover up to 1922)
* Article about DMP on occasion of centenary of 1913 Lockout
* A History of the Dublin Metropolitan Police and Its Colonial Legacy
* Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) Prisoners Books 1905-1918. A UCD Digital Library Collection.
* DMP Annual Reports 1875 to 1912 Garda Síochána website

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Law enforcement in Ireland

Republic of Ireland|

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Northern Ireland|

* Belfast Harbour Police
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Defunct|

* Belfast Borough Police
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* v
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History of Dublin

Timeline and general|

* Timeline of Dublin
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Early Dublin|

* Steine of Dublin
* Hoggen Green
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* Bridge of Dublin
* Early Scandinavian Dublin
* History of Dublin to 795
* Kingdom of Dublin (c. 853-1170)
* Battle of Islandbridge (919)
* Battle of Clontarf (1014)

Middle Ages|

* Black Monday (1209)
* The Pale
* Dublin Castle
* Donnybrook Fair
* Gates of Dublin
* St Patrick's Cathedral
* Christ Church Cathedral
* Rathborne Candles
* St. Audoen's Church
* St. Mary's Abbey
* St. Michan's Church
* The Tholsel

Early modern|

* Escape of Hugh Roe O'Donnell et al. from Dublin Castle (1592)
* Trinity College Dublin (est. 1592)
* Dublin gunpowder explosion (1597)
* Massacre of Baldongan Church (1642)
* Battle of Rathmines (1649)
* Siege of Dublin (1649)
* Smithfield Market (mid-1600s)
* The Brazen Head (est. 1661)
* Disappearance of the Ouzel Galley (1695)
* Dick's Coffee House (1698-1780)
* Georgian Architecture in Dublin (1700s)
* The Great South Wall (1700s) and Bull Wall (1820s)
* Dublin election riot (1713)
* Assassination of Henry Luttrell (1717)
* Drapier's Letters (1724-5)
* Linenhall (1728-1916)
* Hell Fire Club (1735-1741)
* Premiere of Handel's Messiah (1742)
* Daly's Club (1750-1823)
* Wide Streets Commission (1758-1851)
* Guinness Brewery (est. 1759)
* Royal Exchange (1779)
* Kildare Street Club (est. 1782)
* Richard Crosbie's balloon ascent (1785)
* The Grand Canal and Royal Canal (Early 1800s)
* Dublin quays (1800s)
* Irish Rebellion of 1803 (1803)
* Execution of Robert Emmet (1803)
* Construction of Martello Towers (1803-08)
* Sinking of Rochdale and Prince of Wales (1807)
* Military Road (1809)
* Dublin and Kingstown Railway (1834-56)
* Dublin Metropolitan Police (1836-1925)
* Sinking of the PS Queen Victoria (1838)
* Dún Laoghaire Harbour (1842)
* Hamilton's eureka moment at Broom Bridge (1843)
* Sinking of the Longford on the Royal Canal (1845)
* Great Industrial Exhibition (1853)
* Sinking of the RMS Tayleur (1854)
* Monto (red light district) (1860s-1950s)
* Wellington Monument (1861)
* Dublin Fire Brigade (est. 1862)
* International Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures (1865)
* Dublin tramways (1872-1959)
* Dublin whiskey fire (1875)
* Dublin Artisans' Dwellings Company (1876-1979)
* Phoenix Park Murders (1882)
* Dublin Castle scandal (1884)
* Kingstown lifeboat disaster (1895)

Late modern|

* Hill of Howth Tramway (1901-59)
* Irish International Exhibition (1907)
* Theft of the Irish Crown Jewels (1907)
* Dublin Lock-out (1913-14)
* Bachelor's Walk massacre (1914)
* Howth gun-running (1914)
* Easter Rising (1916)
* Introduction of Dublin Postal Districts (1917)
* Sinking of the RMS Leinster (1918)
* The First Dáil (1919-21)
* Bloody Sunday (1920)
* Cairo Gang (1920s)
* Burning of the Custom House (1921)
* Drumcondra ambush (1921)
* Battle of Dublin (1922)
* Hosting of the Tailteann Games (1924, 1928, 1932)
* Assassination of Kevin O'Higgins (1927)
* The O'Connell Bridge photographer (1930s-1985)
* Saint Patrick's Day parade (est. 1931)
* 1932 Eucharistic Congress
* 1933 Dublin riot
* Pearse Street fire (1936)
* Bombing of Dublin in World War II (1941)
* Baggotonia (1950s)
* Bloomsday commemorations (est. 1954)
* Dublin Housing Action Committee (1960s-1970s)
* Demolition of houses along Dublin's Georgian mile (1965)
* Destruction of Nelson's Pillar (1966)
* RTÉ Studio bombing (1969)
* Dublin fires (1970)
* Contraceptive Train (1971)
* Hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest (1971, 1981, 1988, 1994, 1995, 1997)
* Poolbeg Chimneys (1971)
* Burning of the British Embassy in Dublin (1972)
* Dublin bombings (1972-73)
* Mountjoy Prison helicopter escape (1973)
* Dublin and Monaghan Bombings (1974)
* Dublin Airport bombing (1975)
* "Save Wood Quay" (1978-79)
* Stardust fire (1981)
* "GUBU" (Malcolm MacArthur) (1982)
* Dublin Area Rapid Transit (1984)
* Hurricane Charley flooding (1986)
* Self Aid (1986)
* Students Against the Destruction of Dublin (1987-91)
* Dublin Millennium celebrations (1988)
* European Capital of Culture (1991)
* Local Government (Dublin) Act 1993 (1993)
* Lansdowne Road football riot (1995)
* Assassination of Veronica Guerin (1996)

Contemporary|

* Crumlin-Drimnagh feud (2000-2016)
* Hosting of the Special Olympics (2003)
* Spire of Dublin (2003)
* Luas (2004)
* May Day protests (2004)
* Dublin riots (2006)
* Dublin Port Tunnel (2006)
* Anti-austerity demonstrations (2008-15)
* 2008 floods (2008)
* Dublinbikes (est. 2009)
* Bank of Ireland robbery (2009)
* M50 motorway (2010)
* Slovak Police training explosives incident (2010)
* UNESCO City of Literature (2010)
* Silicon Docks (est. 2011)
* Occupy Dame Street (2011-12)
* Hutch–Kinahan feud (2015-to date)
* Occupation of Apollo House (2017)
* Dublin Tech Summit (est. 2017)
* The Beast from the East (2018)
* Coolock feud (2019-20)
* COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2023)
* Dublin riots (2021)
* Irish anti-immigration protests (2022-to date)
* Dublin mass stabbing & riot (2023)

Annual sporting events|

* Dublin Horse Show (est. 1864)
* Hosting of the All-Ireland Football Final (est. 1888)
* Leopardstown Racecourse (est. 1888)
* Phoenix Park Racecourse (1902-1990)
* Hosting of the All-Ireland Hurling Final (est. 1912)
* Liffey Swim (est. 1920)
* Dublin–Limerick hurling rivalry (1923 - to date)
* Liffey Descent canoe race (est. 1960)
* Dublin Marathon (est. 1980)
* Women's Mini Marathon (est. 1983)
* Great Ireland Run (est. 2003)
* Art O'Neill Challenge (est. 2009)
* Dublin City Half Marathon (est. 2025)

Authority control databases

International|

* VIAF

National|

* United States
* Israel

Other|

* Yale LUX

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