An examination of the Auxiliary Division, Royal Irish Constabulary, exploring possible links between conduct and conflict-related injury, traumatic experiences and stress

Abstract

The Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary (ADRIC) was a paramilitary adjutant, recruited from demobilised ex-officers, during the Anglo-Irish War 1920-1921. Although reputedly a ‘Corps d’Élite’, in reality many men had seen little fighting, instead serving in support roles. Limited post-war employment meant that many respondents had been forced to take whatever employment they could find, with pay of £1 a day, being seen as too good an offer to refuse. With limited training and scant appreciation of the conditions in Ireland, the men received little in the way of support from their leaders. Largely shunned by the populace and regularly subjected to attacks and ambushes by the guerrilla IRA fighting under irregular conditions, the Auxiliaries began to suffer greatly from stress. This thesis will determine to what extent psychological disorders manifested by some Auxiliaries, can be attributed to their service in the high pressure environments of Great War and latterly in Ireland by exploring concepts such as Traumatic Brain Injuries, Neurotrauma, Survivor’s Guilt, Siege Mentality, Brutalisation, chronic Alcohol Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress and Suicide. Furthermore this thesis will attempt to explain the often radical and unorthodox behaviour of some Auxiliaries by re-examining some of the most controversial events of the Anglo-Irish War, through the lens of psychiatric stress and breakdown, in order to determine if there are other possible explanations for behaviour which so adversely affected not only the Irish people, but the Auxiliaries themselves.