This Irish Constabulary Medal was awarded to Sub-Constable William Duggan, Glenbeigh on 13 February 1867. Duggan was one of nine members of the force awarded a Constabulary Medal for bravery during the 1867 Fenian Rising. The Constabulary Medal was established in 1842 and was known as the Constabulary VC. It was awarded where the greatest courage, gallantry and bravery was displayed by a member of the force.

Sub-Constable Duggan was tasked with conveying official dispatches, warning of an imminent attack by Fenian agitators, to the local sub-inspector. As Duggan made his way on horseback to district headquarters he encountered a large group of armed Irish Republican Brotherhood members who called on him to surrender. He drew his sword and charged his horse through the mob. The agitators opened fire and Duggan, wounded, came off his horse. He survived the incident and eventually recovered and was awarded a Constabulary Medal later that year.

In response to the force’s actions for suppressing the Fenian Rising, Queen Victoria announced that the Irish Constabulary "shall be called the Royal Irish Constabulary and entitled to have the harp and crown as badges of the force.”