IrishCops

[JohnKelly]

The Irish have over the years have made a significant contribution to the establishment of Police and Law Enforcement Agencies throughout the world, especially in the 'new countries' such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and probably more so in the US. Although Liverpool in the UK, would also have its fair share of IrishCops.:)

The influence of the Irish still continues in many Police Forces around the world, with many IrishCops still carrying on the family tradition of joining 'The Force'.

Boston is a good old Irish Town and when I read of the appointment of its first female Police Commissioner, I wondered to myself if there was by chance, a bit of Irish in her and then I read her name!!. Kathleen O'Toole - need I say anymore?;) :)

Congratulations Kathleen O'Toole, you have done well for yourself.

Roll on St Patrick's Day.:)

Cheers,

JohnKelly
IrishCop
Australia

[Wonga]

Greetings John ,

As well as the new boss in Boston , off the top of my head , the following spring to mind -

John Timoney - ex Chief of Dept NYPD & (ex?) Commissioner Phiadelphia , born in the 'Liberties' in Dublin and reared there 'til the family emigrated - as so many Irish families did - when he was about 12 years of age.

Sir Paul Condon - ex Commissioner London Metropolitan - born of Irish immigrant parents ,

Sir Hugh Annesley - ex Chief Constable Royal Ulster Constabulary (now PSNI) born and raised in Dublin during his early years ,

Dennis O'Connor - Sir Paul Condon's bagman and Assistant Commissioner during the Stephen Lawrence enquiry , [http://www.archive.official-documents.co.uk/document/cm42/4262/4262.htm ]
born and raised in Drogheda , currently Chief Constable of Surrey Constabulary.

Wonga
IrishCop
UK

[Marky Mark]

A friend of mine from Belfast once exclaimed "If it weren't for the Irish, America wouldn't have any cops or firemen!" Even in Texas, you'll find a surprising number of officers of Mexican heritage who have Irish blood.:D

[PC August]

Yeah yeah, there's definitely a tradition, but most of the cops I know who claim to be "Irish" are about 6 generations removed from the old country. As far as I'm concerned, they're about as Irish as Ho Chi Minh.

I am yet to meet a cop with an Irish lilt...but of course, I've never been to Ireland:) .

[wypspecial]

Are there any other Irish - as in born there on here?

I'm Irish serving as a special in the UK.

[JohnKelly]

Originally posted by PC August
Yeah yeah, there's definitely a tradition, but most of the cops I know who claim to be "Irish" are about 6 generations removed from the old country. As far as I'm concerned, they're about as Irish as Ho Chi Minh.

I am yet to meet a cop with an Irish lilt...but of course, I've never been to Ireland:) .

PC O'August - The Irish Heritage goes back many many hundreds of years and it doesn't matter how many generations you are removed from the old country, you are still Irish, be it Irish Australian, Irish Canadian, Irish American or where ever. Some may have lost their accents, but they are still proud to have roots in Ireland.

Don't fight it PC, I'll bet if you checked back, you would find some Irish in you.

Ho Chi Minh was in fact Irish, his real name being, H. O'Chimnh and I believe he was originally from County Dublin.;)

Wonga, MarkyMark and wypspecial, Wonga, it just goes to show you how the Irish can do well for themselves in their new countries. MarkyMark, in Texas they even have a town called Shamrock. wypspecial, I was born in Ireland.

Cheers,

JohnKelly
IrishCop
Australia

[Marky Mark]

I had an officer at my station who was a first-generation immigrant from Mexico, who had no relatives in the US...his name was O'Connor! Several people have told me that Mexico used a number of Irish mercenaries in the 1800's, and that Irish were found on BOTH SIDES during the Mexican Civil War. Im not sure that proves anything other than Irish either like to fight, or needed the money, but it's interesting nonetheless! Another friend of mine is half Mexican half Cuban, but had an Irish great-grandfather on the Mexican side.

[PC August]

Originally posted by JohnKelly

Don't fight it PC, I'll bet if you checked back, you would find some Irish in you.

Ho Chi Minh was in fact Irish, his real name being, H. O'Chimnh and I believe he was originally from County Dublin.;)



All right, faith and begorra, I'll argue with ye no more. And you're right, my maternal grandfather's parents are from the Emerald Isle.

I did some checking, and son of a gun, you were right about Ho Chi Minh as well! But he was from Galway, not Dublin.

[armympchick]

I'm IRISH, and born and raised in NY .... my Grandfather was born there. As many of the other family members. It was neat to read this post, I never really looked at the stats of being Irish and a Police Officer - nice to see so many "proud Irishmen" here!!

[Eastside]

It may be a stereotype (ah the drunken irish!)but unfortunately as i sit here at 4 am ( i have the worst hangover in the world)but i as a irishman recovering from a seisun mor!!must add my two penneth,
Im very Irish being born raised and lived in ireland for 26 years,i only came to the UK in 2001 and im a officer in London.....i like to think im part of a grand tradition of folk who people like to ask"whats all this riverdance crap about then??"

Now if only i could sleep.........:*

[Sleuth]

Mexico has a large number of Irish surnames, the result of many Irish miners going there to work the gold & silver mines.

I once arrested Juan Gonzales Hernandez Fernandez O'Rielly! And no, he spoke neither Irish nor English.

Now, someone tell me. Is "Up the Irish" a curse or a cheer? I'm never sure, and mean no offense.

[Bobbycop]

I'm all for everybody having a bit of pride in their family heritage, and Patriotism can be a virtue.
But please make sure that you know where you have come from.
Being of Irish descent seems to be a popular and coveted position in America and other 'New world' locations.
The truth is that statistically most Northern European descended people have come from British or German stock.
I believe that the friendly and jovial image of a charming Irishman has influenced the thought process.
Possibly there is an O'Leary in your family, but probably a Smith or a Mueller too.

[wypspecial]

Originally posted by Sleuth
Now, someone tell me. Is "Up the Irish" a curse or a cheer? I'm never sure, and mean no offense.

"Up the Irish" would be a cheer. Generally "Up Anything" is a cheer for that thing (with the possible exception of "Up Yours" :)).

This type of cheer is common at sporting events.

There's a county in Northern Ireland called County Down, and when their teams play, supporters can be heard shouting "UP DOWN!"

[JohnKelly]

Originally posted by armympchick
I'm IRISH, and born and raised in NY .... my Grandfather was born there. As many of the other family members. It was neat to read this post, I never really looked at the stats of being Irish and a Police Officer - nice to see so many "proud Irishmen" here!!

My word armympchick, maybe we should have an 'IrishCops Only' Forum, open to all IrishCops, their family and friends throughout the world and on St Patrick's Day we will unite and sit in front of our computers and drink pints of Guinness, whilst wearing our green hats and a sprig of Shamrock.

We can sing a few good old Irish Songs, have a bit of the Craic and I will give you a bit of a dance that would put Riverdance to shame.



;)

Cheers,

JohnKelly
Australia

[Cockney Corner]

I dunno. My grandfather is Irish, born and bred. Doesn't make me Irish.

[Sgt Lobster]

We used to get shamrock sent from Ireland on St Patrick's Day, and I would have no problems getting an Irish passport. I have never lived in Ireland and always feel 'English' on the otherside of the Water.

My dad never appeared to show any interest in returning to Ireland, and only ever got upset when the Tory press started talking about taking the vote off Irish nationals. The fact he was born in the Irish Free State didn't stop him getting conscripted, so he felt he was entitled to the vote, especially as he had worked all his life in England.

[Huey14]

Originally posted by Cockney Corner
I dunno. My grandfather is Irish, born and bred. Doesn't make me Irish.

I must agree. I have a Scot's grandmother and on the other side my Great Grandparents were Italiano.

I do however consider consider myself NZ-Scots-Italian in relation to heritage, and I do embrace the Scot's culture, but I'm not Scot's.

(The Italian side I only ever brought up when I did my Godfather impressions at school. :D)