Biographies of Our Forefathers
Thomas John Tinneny
Thomas Tinneny was the fourth child and third son of Francis Tinneny
and Annie Dolan. He was born in Belturbet, County Cavan October 31,
1899. He was baptized at the Catholic Church in Belturbet on
November 1, 1899. His godparents were Edward Reilly and Elizabeth
Shannon. Thomas was raised in Belturbet and apparently enlisted in
the British Army near the end of World War I. After separating from
the army he enlisted in the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1921.
While
looking about on the Internet in March 1998, I came across Constable
Gerry Doherty of the Royal Ulster Constabulary who lived in Kesh,
County Fermanagh. Gerry responded to my request for information
about Thomas by making an inquiry through the Constabulary Museum in
England and Gerry forwarded me the following information which is
all that remains in Thomas' official constabulary file at the Royal
Ulster Constabulary Historical Society.
The record showed Thomas had enlisted in the constabulary on
April 11, 1921 and that he was recommended for service in
the constabulary by District Inspector Hoare. Thomas'
serial number was 80444. At the time he enlisted he was
described as being from Cavan, 5'9" in height and 21.5 years
old. He was stationed at Wicklow June 5, 1921. The record
also indicated that Thomas trade/calling was
Sawyer/Ex-soldier. The latter entry is interesting in that
it indicates Thomas had served in the Army prior to his
enlistment in the constabulary. I have no other information
about the army service.
According to his nieces Molly Tinneny Curran and Betty
Tinneny of Roslea, Thomas was seriously injured while
serving in the Constabulary. They believed that he was hit
in the head with a hammer during a fight over a girl. At
the time of his death, Thomas was stationed with the
constabulary in County Wicklow. He died of his injuries at
Steevens Hospital in Dublin on April 24, 1922. He was 22
years old. Tommy was buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin
on April 26, 1922. Glasnevin is a cemetery, which I believe
has a military section with the graves of many of the Royal
Irish Constabulary.
Memorial card of Tommy Tinneny front and back. Courtesy of Molly
Tinneny Curran.
Note: Thomas had no known descendants
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