Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable McCarthy was assigned to accompany the clerk and cashier of the Ross’ Spinning Mill, a flax mill in Odessa Street, Belfast. Having accompanied them from a nearby bank to the mill he sat and waited in the gatehouse for them to distribute the wages.
As he did so three men entered the mill and had with them one of the girls who worked in the mill, having taken her hostage as she left for the day. Seeing the armed men enter, Constable McCarthy jumped to his feet and was challenged by one of the men who pointed a pistol at him and told him not to move. Constable McCarthy drew his revolver and the gunman opened fire, hitting the Constable in the chest and seriously wounding him.
The men then fled and despite his injuries Constable McCarthy struggled to his feet and pursued the men into the street but then collapsed. He was rushed to the Royal Victoria Hospital, where he later died.
Constable McCarthy, who was soon to retire, was stationed at Springfield Road RUC Station and had served twenty-three years in both the RIC and RUC.
He served in the Irish Guards as a Sergeant during the Great War, seeing action in France and Egypt, and was mentioned in dispatches.
He was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-GB-RUC-83F057D6- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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 McCarthy served with the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable McCarthy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable Patrick McCarthy 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 NIR, 422 of 599 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.5% of this state's fallen. That is 16.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Royal Ulster Constabulary GC, 351 of 469 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Patrick McCarthy's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick McCarthy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick McCarthy is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
468 officers from Royal Ulster Constabulary GC are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
