There is a record of a Robert Lays or Lees who served in the Dublin Metropolitan Police. In the registers it is stated that he joined on 31 Mar 1859, he was a Labourer born in Dese[rt]creat, Co. Tyrone about 1839, and his warrant number was 5941.
Desertcreat bordered on Cookstown and I have found no reference of any other LEES family from the parish, so it may be that Robert is related to the LEES families in the neighbouring parishes of Ardtrea or Derryloran.
On 5 August 1861 Robert Lays married Jane Gealy at St. Michan’s Parish Church, North Dublin. He was of full age, Bachelor, Policeman, residing at Phoenix Street Police Barracks, the son of John Lays, Farmer. She was a minor, Spinster, residing at 13 George’s Hill, the daughter of WIlliam Gealy, Bookbinder. Samuel Rea and James Macken were witnesses.
Aside from being a Policeman, Robert is variously recorded as a Clerk, Draper, Porter, and Railway Porter.
I’ve identified the following children as born to the couple;
- Margaret Lees, b. abt 1863, m. Charles James John Coote 1880 Dublin, d. 1900 Dublin
- William Lees, b. 26 Oct 1864, 10 George’s Hill (Informant: Jane Lees, 10 George’s Hill), d. 1865
- John Alexander Lays, b. 19 Sep 1866, 10 George’s Hill (Informant Jane Ellis, 13 George’s Hill), d. 1866
- Robert Ernest Lees or Lays, b. 1 Jul 1872, 9 Stafford Street (Informant Ellen Gaily, 9 Stafford Street), d. 5 Dec 1880 Dublin
- Frederick William Lees, b. 28 March 1875, 9 Stafford Street (Informant: Ellen Gealey, 9 Stafford Street), appears to have emigrated as could find no trace of him in Ireland
- William Henry Lees, b. 2 Apr 1878, 9 Trinity Street (Informant: Ellen Gealy, 20 Stafford Street), married Esther Perry 18 Mar 1901 Dublin
- Albert John Lees, b. 20 Oct 1882, 22 Stafford Street (Informant: Margaret Coote, 22 Stafford Street), d. 5 Nov 1882 Dublin