Patrick McCarthy

Died

1 October 1943

Age

Rank

Constable

Force

Royal Ulster Constabulary

Cause

Homicide - Shot

Duty Status

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Fatally shot while attempting to foil a wages-snatch by armed robbers.

Roll of Honour Citation

Fatally shot while attempting to foil a wages-snatch by armed robbers.

Circumstances

Constable McCarthy was assigned to accompany the clerk and cashier of a flax spinning mill in Odessa Street, Belfast. Having accompanied them from a nearby bank to the mill he waited in the gatehouse for them to distribute the wages.

As he was sat waiting three men entered the mill, they had with them one of the girls who worked in the mill, having taken her hostage as she left for the day.

Seeing the armed men enter, Constable McCarthy jumped to feet, he was challenged by one of the men who pointed a pistol at the Constable and told him not to move. Constable McCarthy drew his revolver and the gunman opened fire. Constable McCarthy was hit in the chest and seriously wounded, the men fled, despite his injuries Constable McCarthy struggled to his feet and pursued the men out into the street as they fled. He collapsed and was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he later died.

Constable McCarthy was stationed at Springfield Road RUC Station, having served 23 years in both the RIC and RUC he was due to retire soon. He served in the Irish Guards as a Sergeant during the Great War, seeing action in France and Egypt being Mentioned in Disptaches. He was survived by his wife and four children.

Constable McCarthy was assigned to accompany the clerk and cashier of the Ross’ Spinning Mill, a flax mill in Odessa Street, Belfast. Having accompanied them from a nearby bank to the mill he sat and waited in the gatehouse for them to distribute the wages.

As he did so three men entered the mill and had with them one of the girls who worked in the mill, having taken her hostage as she left for the day. Seeing the armed men enter, Constable McCarthy jumped to his feet and was challenged by one of the men who pointed a pistol at him and told him not to move. Constable McCarthy drew his revolver and the gunman opened fire, hitting the Constable in the chest and seriously wounding him.

The men then fled and despite his injuries Constable McCarthy struggled to his feet and pursued the men into the street but then collapsed. He was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he later died.

Constable McCarthy, who was soon to retire, was stationed at Springfield Road RUC Station and had served twenty-three years in both the RIC and RUC.

He served in the Irish Guards as a Sergeant during the Great War, seeing action in France and Egypt, and was mentioned in dispatches.

He was survived by his wife and four children.