Thomas Heffron

Thomas Heffron

Died

:

26 January 1921

Age

:

26

Rank

:

Constable

Force

:

Royal Irish Constabulary

Cause

:

Homicide - Shot

Duty Status

:

On Duty

Roll of Honour Citation

Killed as he slept when gunmen entered his hotel room and shot him. Posthumously awarded the Constabulary Medal for Gallantry.

While on escort duty from Dublin and staying the night in Belfast, at the Railway View Hotel near Musgrave Street Barracks, three Constables retired to their rooms for the evening about 9pm. As they slept, gunmen entered the room next door, seeking to shoot the RIC men. Realising their error, the gunmen barged into the correct room and shot all three officers, killing Constable Thomas Heffron and Constable Michael Quinn. Both were posthumously awarded the Constabulary Medal for Gallantry.