Roll of Honor
Incident
Shot and fatally wounded when he and three other Constables were attacked in Connor’s Public House in Ballyboghill, County Dublin. The four officers had entered by the back door but were observed by a group of terrorists at the front of the public house. Using the cover of helping some children move some cows the terrorists made their way to the back of Connor’s. As Sergeant Kirwan left the premises, the gunmen opened fire hitting him in the temple. He fell to the ground but managed to draw his revolver and return fire. Sergeant Kirwan was then hit again, just above the heart, as he lay on the ground, but he managed to struggle to his feet and emptied his revolver at his attackers. The other Constables came to the sergeant’s aid and the gunmen fled. During the attack the leader of the gunmen suffered fatal injuries when he was hit in the side and he died from his wounds that same day.
In Our Keeping
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BO-GB-RIC-B64F3071- Stewardship
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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.
Sergeant Kirwan served with the Royal Irish Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Kirwan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Stephen Kirwan 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. Stephen Kirwan's cause is highlighted.
How Stephen Kirwan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Stephen Kirwan is highlighted in Apr.
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.
