Person:Patrick O'Brien (5)

Patrick was 70 years old when he died. His death record states he was a bachelor, police pensioner, the duration of his illness was 2 months, he died of liver disease, his brother, Stephen O'Brien was present at his death in Killernan. His death was recorded on the 8 March 1895, fifty years to the day after his father died. Patrick joined the Royal Irish Constabulary on the 21 May 1851. His retirement papers are #15045. Patrick's retirement papers listed him as 23 years of age at his time of appointment, 5 foot 8 inches, Native of County Clare and a Roman Catholic. He was recommended by L. Crone (Crowe), J.P., who had to be personally known to him. His trade or calling was laborer. He was promoted an Acting Constable on 1December 1871 and a Constable on 1 December 1872. The rank structures in the RIC before 1883 were Sub-constable, Acting Constable and Constable and after 1883 they changed to Constable, Acting Sergeant and Sergeant. Therefore, he was in effect a sergeant. Patrick was pensioned on 16 November 1881 with 30 years and 5 months service at 71 pounds per annum. The British government had a practice of not allowing a police officer to be stationed in his home county so that the officer was less likely to be compromised. Patrick was stationed out side of County Clare in the South East part of Ireland in County Kildare. When Patrick retired from the R.I.C. he moved back to the O'Brien family farm in Killernan, Co. Clare. Living in the house was his brother, Stephen, and wife, Margaret and their six children. His mother, Honoria was also living there at the time. Patrick was the favorite Uncle of Stephen's children and it was his generosity that helped three of his children to emigrate to the United States and also financed the marriage of Catherine O'Brien, the oldest niece to the prominent Ryan family of Dromoher, Co. Clare. Patrick was also responsible for the tombstone in Killernan graveyard for his parents that is still standing tall and proud. The picture of Patrick on this page was taken in the 1870's. His niece, Bridget (Delia) O'Brien took this picture to America with her when she left Ireland in 1896. She then had this picture enlarged by an artist at an art studio in Elmira, NY and had it and framed for hanging in her house in Waverly, NY. In 1920 Delia moved to Riverside, NY with her daughter, Catherine she took this picture with her and put it in storage in her basement. In 1980, sixty years later her daughters, Catherine and Margaret Cahill presented this picture to me on one of my visits to her home in New Jersey. I now have it hanging proudly in my home.

O'Brien, Patrick Royal Irish Constabulary 1825 -1895 http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=image&guid=a51e51e3-f1ee-4949-8c0a-07b83d65cb41&tid=7775997&pid=-1039232494

1. ↑ Gift from from Margaret Cahill in 1985, Riverside, NJ.

   Patrick O'Brien1825 - 1895

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Reakes, J., comp. Ireland, The Royal Irish Constabulary 1816-1921. (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004.Original data - An Index To The Royal Irish Constabulary, 1816-1921. 1816-1921. Microfilm LDS Family History Centre, 0852088-97-0856057-2069.Original data: An Index To The Royal Irish).

   Birth date: Birth place: Clare _APID: 6087::16582

   http://trees.ancestry.com/rd?f=sse&db=royirshco1816&h=16582&ti=0&indiv=try&gss=pt

3. ↑ Ireland, Death Certificate.

   70 years old, Informant was Stephen O'Brien (brother) from Killernan.

4.   Ancestry Family Trees. (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.)
   Ancestry Family Trees.

   http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=7775997&pid=-1039232494 _APID: 1030::0