Now Hist. [SUB- 6.] An under-constable, esp. in the Royal Irish Constabulary (see quots. 1814, 1883).
1512. Act 4 Hen. VIII., c. 19 § 6. Preceptes to the Constables Hedbouroghes Thirdbouroghes Subconstables.
1558–9. Act 1 Eliz., c. 21 § 16.
1814. Act 54 Geo. III., c. 131 § 6. To appoint, for the Aid and Support of any such Chief Magistrates,… a Clerk, and also a Chief Constable, and any Number of Sub Constables, not exceeding Fifty in the whole.
1839. Penny Cycl., XIII. 25/2. The police … in 1836, consisted of … 155 chief constables of the first and 59 of the second class; 1232 constables; 6233 subconstables.
1883. Act 46 Vict., c. 14 § 12. After the first day of October one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three the sub-inspectors, constables, acting constables, and sub-constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary, shall respectively be styled district inspectors, sergeants, acting sergeants, and constables.
1886. Brophy, Sk. R. I. C., i. 7. Sub-Constable D—— was a scion of a family that were ruined chiefly by horse-racing, a veritable type of the ‘Squanders of Castle Squander.’
1907. Westm. Gaz., 4 July, 1/2. Sir Thomas Echlin … served … as sub-constable and constable in the ranks of the Royal Irish Constabulary.
