Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Shortall died in hospital three days after being fatally wounded when his ten-man patrol was, on 4th January 1921, attacked by terrorists as it crossed Parnell Bridge in the city of Cork.
Another Constable, Thomas R. Johnston, died from his injuries on 21st January. The eight remaining officers were all wounded.
Francis had previously served in the RIC before joining the British Army during WW1 when he served as a Captain in the Irish Guards and, being fluent in French, German and Irish, acted as an interpreter. He also served some time as a prisoner of war.
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 8, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Shortall served with the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Shortall.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Francis C Shortall is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In L, 592 of 749 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 79% of this state's fallen. That is 24.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Royal Irish Constabulary, 519 of 642 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Francis C Shortall's cause is highlighted.
How Francis C Shortall Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Francis C Shortall is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
641 officers from Royal Irish Constabulary are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
