Sir, - In your review of Richard Abbott's excellent and valuable book Police Casualties in Ireland 1919-1922, it is stated - as it was also by Mr Abbott that "nowhere in Ireland is there any memorial or roll of honour for the police casualties of Ireland's troubles of the 1919-1922 period".
I am not sure that this is strictly true. In recent years I have seen a simple but dignified marble obelisk, one which is certainly a form of memorial/roll of honour to those who lie there, in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin. On the occasion of the reburial of remains in the graveyard in 1966 (if I recall the date correctly) this was dedicated to some two dozen or so Royal Irish Constabulary officers who died in the last years of the force. It may be assumed, from the ages and years of death listed, that most died violently in the call of their duty. Their scattered remains were gathered together in this beautiful and peaceful place under the memorial, on whose laudable initiative I do not know.
This monument is, I believe, worthy of those whose names it bears, and it is certainly in Ireland. Unfortunately, the RIC escutcheon which I saw attached to the obelisk was subsequently forcibly removed. I cannot say whether this was an act of vandalism, hatred or simply theft. - Yours, etc.,
James O'Connell, Nerudova 13, Prague, Czech Republic.