BY GRAHAM MAJOR
Phoenix Park was initially administered by the Office of Woods and Forests and, from 1860, by the Board of Works (Ireland). The first mention of Park Constables comes in 1837 when Thomas Drummond compiled a rule book for Park Constables.
The main roles of the Constables and Gate Keepers were to control access, patrol the Park and enforce the bye-laws. They came under the control of the Head Deer Keeper who, with the Park Constables, would attend the Park Bailiff's Lodge each morning to report any wrong doing from the previous day to the Park Bailiff. The Deer Keepers were also responsible for ensuring the Park Constables and Gate Keepers attended their duties in their designated areas or gates.
In May 1862, Edward Stanford and John Keegan were brought before the City Sessions having been charged by a Phoenix Park Constable of wilfully and maliciously breaking trees. Stanford was fined 10/- and Keegan 2/- 6d.
1903 clothing tender
1903 clothing tender
1903 clothing tender
In August 1865, a shoe maker, Christopher M Dermott, was brought before a Dublin Police Court charged with having spoken an unlawful and seditious oath (the Fenian Oath) to Phoenix Park Constable Walsh, the act being committed in a canteen before two Park Constables and a soldier. He was said to be drunk at the time and this had influenced his actions. Despite this he was committed for trial.
One known Park Constable was Charles Dillon, a Crimean War veteran who, after his discharge in November of 1870, was appointed a Phoenix Park Constable. This post he held for twenty-five years when, owing to ill-health, he retired on a pension in 1895, and died twenty-three days after he had left the Park.
Gate Keepers, c1905
In 1880, Mr Arthur O'Connor asked a question in the Houses of Parliament as to the names and religions of Park Constables and Park Gate Keepers appointed since 1874. However his request was unsuccessful as he was told time did not exist to get the names and that religious persuasion was not recorded.
In 1904, the dismissal of Constable Joseph Little was also raised in the Houses of Parliament, as Mr Little wished to be able to state his case about any charges raised against him. The reply was that he had been dismissed for Neglect of Duty, and having received previous warnings, it was not felt warranted to grant him an interview to state his case.
In August 1906, Constable Barron found a man's body in the Park and it was removed for inquest.
In late January 1908 it was reported that Edward L Price, a former Park Constable, who had been dismissed earlier that month for being drunk on duty, had been found dead in the grounds of Blackrock Church with poison by his side.
Phoenix Park Gate Keeper, circa early 1900's
Phoenix Park Gate Keeper, circa early 1900's
Phoenix Park Gate Keeper, circa early 1900's
Phoenix Park Constable cap badges from the turn of the century (right) and a later issue from after 1922 (Parks our Shared Heritage)
Phoenix Park Constable cap badges from the turn of the century (right) and a later issue from after 1922 (Parks our Shared Heritage)
Phoenix Park Constable cap badges from the turn of the century (right) and a later issue from after 1922 (Parks our Shared Heritage)
1911 Visit to Ireland Medal
In 1909, uniform issue for Park Constables and Gate Keepers was as follows: one coat, one vest and two pairs of trousers each eighteen months, one overcoat every three years, one felt hat every six months and a gold band annually; a silk hat and gold band for Gate Keepers at the North Circular Road and Island Bridge gates annually. Park Constables were issued two pairs of boots each year and capes as and when required. Uniform inspections were carried out by the Bailiff four times a year. Each man was required to retain one or more reserve suits for rough work, inclement weather at night or for use as and when needed. This was to be from their previous uniform issue. All uniformed staff were to wear their uniform at all times when on duty and were forbidden from entering a public house when so attired.
Pay for Park Constables at this time was 24/- per week and they received fourteen days annual leave.
Any person found to be committing an offence against the Park Regulations was to be cautioned and asked to desist. If they continued or repeated the offence within two months their details were to be taken and presented to the Bailiff for possible prosecution. Those over fourteen years of age found committing a criminal offence were to be handed over to the Dublin Metropolitan Police. Those under fourteen were only to be dealt with this way on authority of the Bailiff.
In 1911, six Park Constables were awarded the Visit to Ireland Medal. Three further Medals were also issued to the Park Constables at St Stephens Green. A tenth Medal was returned as the intended recipient had been dismissed prior to its issue.
Phoenix Park Constables Awarded the 1911 Medal
- Thomas Barron
- John Connell
- Francis Hendy
- William Wilson
- James Freeman
- Frederick Godden
In January 1917, Constable Hendy gave evidence against Francis Henry, who had been brought to court by the Board of Works for cutting wood off a tree in the Park. Due to the prosecution stating the Board did not wish to pursue what they saw as not a very serious case, and that they no objection to wood which had fallen naturally being taken away but only wished wood not to be cut from trees, the accused was given a caution only.
1919 Park Regulations stated that Constable Gate Keepers were to remain outside their lodges and to have the gates open from 6:00am from February to November and from 7:00am at all other times until dusk when they were to be closed.
With the creation of the Irish Free State the Service continued, but now under the administration of the new Irish government. Indeed the titles of "Park Constable" and "Gate Keeper" remained in use until 1989, when the current Ranger Service was formed. To be continued...
Sources
- Phoenix Park Visitor Centre
- Hansard, 28 August 1880, 07 July 1904
- Derby Mercury, 23 August 1865 *
- Dublin Daily Express, 20 May 1862, 03 August 1906, 10 January 1917 *
- Irish Times, 27 January 1908 *
- Parks our Shared Heritage
- Irish Constabulary Forum
- Noonans, Mayfair
- St Stephen's Green (Dublin) Act, 1877
- * The British Newspaper Archive
