Findmypast today released 18,000 online records of Irish crimes, disturbances, criminals and victims. The collection consists of reports created by the Royal Irish Constabulary between 1836 and 1840. Constables in each county were required to summarize incidents, crimes or disturbances. The reports provide rare insights into life in Ireland at the time and include descriptions of thefts, assaults, suicides, daring rescues, cases of infanticide, arson, highway robbery and more. Generally only the victim's name is reflected since the offender hadn't yet been identified when the report was prepared. Brian Donovan, Irish records expert at Findmypast (and recent presenter at the 2016 Celtic Connections Conference) said this about the record set: Extreme poverty, sectarianism and political exclusion were features of Ireland in the 1830s, while at the same time the government tried to implement real reform measures like national education, electoral reform and the poor laws. To maintain the peace Ireland had a large professionally trained police force (the Irish constabulary) who were fortunately required to keep good records, like these Outrage reports. These reports are a fascinating insight into these times, documenting crime and dissent across the country when few other records exist. You can search the records here: http://search.findmypast.ie/search-world-records/ireland-outrage-reports-1836-1840