Patrick Rooney

Patrick Rooney

Died

:

26 December 1891

Age

:

30

Rank

:

Constable

Force

:

Royal Irish Constabulary

Cause

:

Drowned

Duty Status

:

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Drowned in the River Flesk, alongside a colleague, after they both fell in while searching for stolen implements.

Drowned in the River Flesk, along with his colleague, Constable James McVeigh, while searching for implements that had been stolen from the Headford and Kenmare Railway. The two officers were trying to cross the river via a makeshift bridge supported by stakes sunken into the riverbed. Constable McVeigh stepped onto the bridge first followed by Constable Rooney who was then caught by a strong gust of wind and lost his balance. He tried to steady himself by grabbing Constable McVeigh’s cape but both men fell into the river and were swept away by the strong current.