So why do you think it's called a Paddy Wagon?

[Latimer]

On the rise of the Irish, who largely came to America poor, starving and illiterate:

https://www.wsj.com/articles/lesson...cx_testId=16&cx_testVariant=ctrl&cx_artPos=16

"The peasants leaving Ireland had a shorter life expectancy than American slaves."

 

[NotHardUp1]

One assumed it was because of their penchant for drunkenness and brawling.

 

[medic1]

I was told a long time ago that it was named the Paddy Wagon because at the time so many police were Irish, Boston being a prime example.

 

[Willie Boy]

I was told a long time ago that it was named the Paddy Wagon because at the time so many police were Irish, Boston being a prime example.

Bingo. Also in New York and many other locales across the nation.

 

[smokeshadow]

for several theories read: https://au.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080210192049AAp2GdU