Patrick (Patt) Burke Feenaghty

My great grandfather, Patrick Burke Feenaghty, was born on 14 November 1842 in Mayo, Co Mayo. His parents were Michael Feenaghty and Sarah Burke (no further information about the parents). In 1861 age 19 he enlisted in the Irish Constabulary and served some time in Co Clare. See "The Royal Irish Constabulary List of Members" Film # 856063 Page # 178C In 1868 he migrated to Australia (reason unknown) on the ship “Young Australia”, arriving in Brisbane on 25 April 1868. He joined the Queensland Police Force, rising to the rank of Sergeant and acting as “Commissioner’s Sergeant", before resigning and joining the Queensland Police Department as a clerk. He served in the Department until his death on 07 September 1899 by which time he was Accountant for the Department (in modern-day terms this would have been Chief Financial Officer). In his Australian Marriage and Death certificates his parents are listed as Michael Feenaghty and Sarah Burke. A baptismal record from Roots Ireland shows “Patt” Feenaghty and “Sally Buorke”. On 10 June 1871 he married Mary Donohoe (born 1843 or 1845 in Commons, Tipperary, daughter of Michael and Winifred Donohoe). They had two children but she died on 06 September 1875. Patrick later married Elizabeth McCarthy.