Roll of Honor
Incident
District Inspector Kelleher was off duty, unarmed and in plain clothes in Kiernan’s Hotel in Granard, County Longford, where he resided at the time when, about 9:30pm, two gunmen entered the bar and fired at him while he was drinking with three friends. Two bullets struck Philip in the chest and killed him.
At the time of his death Philip had held the post of District Inspector in Granard for only four months.
A native of Macroom, County Cork, he had previously served as a Captain in the British Army for four years and was awarded the Military Cross.
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- 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.
District Inspector MC served with the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, District Inspector MC.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
District Inspector Philip St. John Howlett Kelleher MC 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. Philip St. John Howlett Kelleher MC's cause is highlighted.
How Philip St. John Howlett Kelleher MC Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Philip St. John Howlett Kelleher MC is highlighted in Oct.
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.
