Biography

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.