Roll of Honor
Incident
He was born in Banagher, King’s County (Offaly) and joined theRoyal Irish Constabularyin September 1879 as a cadet, serving in the counties of Cavan, Galway, Roscommon, Westmeath, and Cork up to the rank of District Inspector. During the land war (1879–82) he investigated sources of Land League funds and in 1882 arrested the American land reformer and journalist Henry George in Athenry. Along with District Inspector William Henry Joyce, he compiled evidence against the nationalist and agrarian agitation for the special commission of 1888–9 which investigated charges against the nationalist leader and his associates. Bell’s actions made him popular with unionists but a marked man among nationalists.
After almost twenty years’ police service, he became a resident magistrate (12th November 1898), a civil service post under the Constabulary Act, 1836. Bell’s districts included Athenry, Claremorris, Armagh, Belfast, and Portadown. With many years’ experience in criminal intelligence, he was transferred to Dublin Castle early in the war of independence as a special investigator and intelligence gatherer. In December 1919 he questioned suspects for the attempted terrorist assassination of the viceroy, Lord French, and placed suspect premises under surveillance. Bell’s vulnerability was made evident by the shooting in January 1920 ofDublin Metropolitan PoliceAssistant CommissionerWilliam Redmond, one of his informants. He remained in Dublin to investigate the ‘republican loan’ believed to be hidden in suspect bank accounts. Refusing protective accommodation in Dublin Castle where other officials had already retreated, he opted to live with his wife at a private suburban residence, 19 Belgrave Square, Monkstown, County Dublin. Bell summoned bank managers to his office in early March 1920 and progressed sufficiently to force Collins into taking action.
Carrying a pocket revolver for protection, Bell travelled to work daily by tram until the morning of 26th March 1920. At the busy junction of Simmonscourt Road, Sandymount Avenue, and Merrion Road, Ballsbridge, a group of men immobilised the crowded vehicle and surrounded their target, declaring: ‘Come on, Mr Bell, your time has come.’ Bundling him on to the street, they shot him dead in public view and ran from the scene. In spite of vivid eyewitness accounts in the press, no killer was identified.
He was buried privately in Dean’s Grange cemetery.
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- April 8, 2026
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- 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 Bell served with the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, District Inspector Bell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
District Inspector Alan Bell 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. Alan Bell's cause is highlighted.
How Alan Bell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alan Bell is highlighted in Mar.
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.
