Sydney George James Larkin
- Died:
- 02 November 1920
- Age:
- 22
- Rank:
- Constable
- Force:
- Royal Irish Constabulary
- Cause:
- Homicide - Shot
- Duty Status:
- On Duty
Roll of Honour Citation
Shot dead when his mobile patrol was ambushed at Auburn, Glasson, County Westmeath.
Police Memorial Tribute
Constable Larkin was driving a motor lorry which was one of two that left Carrick-on-Shannon at 8:00am, travelling via Longford towards Athlone, County Westmeath. About 9.30am the convoy was ambushed outside Athlone at Auburn, Glasson, at a point where the road passed a steep hill with a boundary wall that provided cover for the 25 attackers.
The first volley of gunfire targeted the drivers and Constable Larkin was killed instantly. A number of improvised grenades were then thrown but failed to explode and when the RIC returned fire the attackers made off. Sergeant Meany and Constable Costello were wounded in the incident and one of the terrorists was killed.
Constable Larkin was born in 1898 in London and before joining the Royal Irish Constabulary he served as a soldier of the 3rd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, and later the Devonshire Regiment.
