A commemoration service for members of the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police who died between 1916 and 1922 will be attended by an official representative of the Garda Commissioner.

Ecumenical ceremony
Taoiseach Enda Kenny and senior members of the Government are unavailable to attend the ecumenical ceremony at Mount Argus Church on Saturday week but the organisers are hoping the Government will be represented. A national commemoration service for deceased members of the RIC/DMP took place last year at Glasnevin Cemetery.

Gerry Lovett, secretary of the RIC/DMP Commemoration Committee, said his group’s ambition was to win recognition for the commemoration of the 530 or so policemen who died in 1916-1922.

Mr Lovett said it had proved impossible to hold this year’s commemoration in Glasnevin because they had been asked to provide a €6 million insurance bond.

“The Garda chaplain, Fr Joe Kennedy, stepped in and, thanks to him, Mount Argus was made available.

“A number of RIC and DMP men are buried there so it a good place to hold the ceremony.”