Joseph Murtagh

Died

:

19 March 1920

Age

:

45

Rank

:

Constable

Force

:

Royal Irish Constabulary

Cause

:

Homicide - Shot

Duty Status

:

Off Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Shot dead when two gunmen fired at him as he returned to his barracks after attending a colleague's funeral.

About 11:00pm, while off duty and wearing civilian clothing, Constable Murtagh was shot dead, opposite St. Mary’s Church, Cork, when two gunmen fired at him as he walked along Popes Quay on his way back to his barracks, after attending the funeral of his colleague, Constable Charles Healy.

Joseph had been a member of the RIC for twenty-three years and lived at Sunday’s Well RIC station.

He was a widower with two young sons and was originally from County Westmeath, where he had been a farmer.

He was buried at the New Cemetery in Lismore, County Waterford, on 22nd March, beside his wife who had died twelve years earlier.