Sgt. David Maginnity (c.1824-64), in the uniform of the old mounted police. By kind permission of Ron Frew.
Sgt. David Maginnity (c.1824-64) was an Irish-born member of the New South Wales Police Force in Australia. Although his birthplace is uncertain, the most likely location was the County Down side of Lisburn. Following service in the British Army, Maginnity emigrated to Australia in the 1840s and joined the Police Force in the state of Victoria. Shortly afterwards, he transferred to the New South Wales mounted police in 1853, was promoted to sergeant the next year, and was among the first members of the new NSW Police Force of 1862. After marrying Mary Egan of Tumut, he and his young family settled in the town of Tumbarumba.
‘The bushranger affray at Coppabella’, showing Dan Morgan shooting Sgt. Maginnity (Illustrated Sydney News, 17 August 1864).
On 24 June 1864, Maginnity was shot and killed by the notorious bushranger, Dan ‘Mad Dog’ Morgan (1830-65). Along with his constable, he had been searching for Morgan between Coppabella and Tumbarumba following a raid and murder by the outlaw at Round Hill Station earlier in June. Maginnity was one of the first officers of the new NSW Police Force to be killed while on duty, leaving behind his pregnant wife and four young children. He is buried in Tumbarumba General Cemetery with a memorial near the site of his murder which has been named in his honour, ‘Maginnity’s Gap’.