Police barracks in clooney

[my-irish-family]

My ancestor Thomas Ross was a police constable and later sergeant. He lived in the ballyoan area in 1831 (according to census) and on the griffiths valuation he is living at Simpsons brae in clooney (part of). I also noticed that there was a police barracks very near here.

Could anyone advise how I could find any information on said police barracks, and would this possibly have been where he worked if he were a borough constable? Trying to find info on him is a nightmare and I was hoping maybe there would be access to some police records or similar?

Many thanks!

[aghadowey]

Previous thread on Thomas Ross-
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,550968.0.html

[joemc]

When you say 'near here' can you be more precise? There was an Police station in Spencer Road which closed maybe 15 years ago, I do not know its history, I believe the building is still standing and occupied by a charity group called 'Partnership, Care West' 106 Spencer Rd., it can be viewed on google maps. I doubt though whether this would have been a police station as far back as the mid 19C.

Can't seem to find a map of the area from the time period so can not confirm, BTW you should be able to access his service records here:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/research-guides/royal-irish-constabulary.htm

Regards

[scotmum]

I think the Borough Police force was independent of the RIC, so the link to their records above may not apply. There is mention of them at www.books.google.co.uk/books?isbn=0199583110 It may also be worthwhile posting your enquiry at www.londonderry.wordpress.com/geneology as well as sending an email to the library in Londonderry asking if they hold anything in their archives on this force.

[joemc]

Sorry scotmum your quite correct, a little bit of information about Londonderry Borough Police here , says they were disbanded in 1869 when they were replaced by the RIC

http://www.policehistory.utvinternet.com/early2.html

[my-irish-family]

Thanks very much for the information.  The police barracks was on bonds hill. It was a police barracks, yard and small garden. My ancestor Thomas was recorded as retired borough constable on his death certificate, he died in clooney. He was listed as police sergeant also on one of his kids wedding certificates.

I will definitely have a look at the links provided. I will also do what you advised scotmum. I just wasn't sure if a police barracks would be the place a constable would be or are a police station and police barracks the same thing?

Thanks guys!!! 

[Elwyn Soutter]

just wasn't sure if a police barracks would be the place a constable would be or are a police station and police barracks the same thing?

Police station and barracks are generally the same thing in Ireland. The term is sometimes still used today. There was usually accommodation above the premises where the sergeant and family lived, plus typically 4 single police officers.

[my-irish-family]

Thank you elwyn, that's made things clearer for me. I hear barracks, I think army and training etc, and for some reason when I read constable I think of a wee local bobby on patrol and a wee police station  good to know they are the same thing