Minister of Home Affairs Sir Dawson Bates (pictured below) inspects recruits from the Royal Ulster Constabulary, founded on 1 June 1922. This was the result of a reorganisation of policing structures in the new Northern Ireland.
The RUC replaced the remnants of the RIC, with the Ulster Special Constabulary continuing to provide a supporting role.
In May and June 1922, republicans confronted the security forces in the area around Pettigo and Belleek. This ‘invasion’, was an attempt to spark a wider confrontation but was dealt with by the police and army.
Further attacks on Northern Ireland diminished as the south and west slipped into a bitter civil war.
