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CSO/RP/SC/1825/131

Letter from Joseph D’Arcy, 28 Jervis Street, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, seeking a situation of employment under government. He recounts that during the tenure of Charles Chetwynd Chetwynd-Talbot [Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, 1817-1821] he authored a pamphlet in support of government but reveals ’an Enemy’ later emerged who raised doubts as to the political heterodoxy of his work and accused him of being ‘engaged in treasonable and inflammatory writings’. Claims that following an investigation he was found not guilty of any misdemeanour and the pamphlet in question was laid before the Lord Lieutenant as proof of his worthy designs. Complains of his losses over the incident and of reduced family circumstances. He indicates this account can be corroborated by Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster.

22 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/132

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing a copy letter from Captain John Wray, chief constable of police, Swanlinbar, County Cavan, calling attention to a threatening notice directed at Patrick McGoldrick. Indicates that McGoldrick is engaged by the agent to Dean Burris [likely Reverend Dr Robert Burrowes, master of Enniskillen Royal School, County Fermanagh] and is entrusted with responsibility to serve processes on the tenants of school lands in County Fermanagh. Encloses copy of the threatening notice warning McGoldrick and Patrick O’Donnell if a stop is not put to the enforcement of processes on school lands fatal consequences will result. It the pressure [to pay rents] continues, it cautions, ‘yous with your familys [sic] will be Burnt before yous take your november Supper’.

23 Sep 1825-26 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/133

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting upon some matters relating to the jurisdiction under his control. Observes upon his arrival in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, he found the chief constable of that place was lately absent due to an order requesting his appearance at Ballinasloe, County Galway; he enclosing a copy of same from the chief constable of police, Ballinasloe, to David Duff, chief constable of police, Ballyshannon, asking he report to that quarter immediately to give evidence in an investigation. D’Arcy also comments on his intention to investigate a complaint against Captain Brennan, chief constable of police, Newry, County Down; to investigate a statement made by ‘Harpour’ of Moy, County Tyrone; and also to interview Mr Holmes at Dungannon over the conduct of the police at Milltown in County Cavan.

9 Sep 1825-27 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/134

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Dungannon, County Tyrone, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on an interview with Mr Harpour [or Harper] on the subject of a recent attack on him and some bailiffs in the parish of Clonfeacle, near Moy, County Tyrone. Comments that a submission was made on the matter to government by Sir James Galbraith, crown solicitor, who advocates the use of the police to execute tithe warrants on the estate of the late Doctor Davenport. D’Arcy emphasises his resistance to such a measure since it would occupy too much police time and if established would be a cumbersome precedent on the establishment. Reflects also on the number of police constables at the various stations in the district which he thinks is under strength. Returns letter from Galbraith, Dungannon, to Goulburn, outlining the difficulties of tithe collection in Clonfeacle. Recalls an earlier incident in which one of Harpour’s men killed one of those opposing the collection of tithes in the year 1823, a matter that subsequently resulted in legal proceedings. Discerns in the neighbourhood the presence of organised opposition to tithe collection and requests that 50 police constables from the county constabulary be brought to Moy in order that warrants might be executed against some of the principle offenders.

27 Sep 1825-29 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/135

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing a description of police duties in the city of Limerick for the month of September plus an account of expenses for same [neither present]. He comments that despite a previous outrage in his district the inhabitants are in general ‘peaceable Disposed’.

6 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/136

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, conveying two applications for leave of absence. Encloses letter from Christopher Plunkett, chief constable of police, Coleraine, County Londonderry, seeking leave of absence for a period of 10 days to attend to some personal business, 27 September, 1825. Also encloses letter from Edward Marum, police constable of Ballybay, County Monaghan, requesting permission to take absence from duty to travel to the city of Kilkenny to deal with some ‘business of the greatest emergency’, 30 September, 1825.

27 Sep 1825-11 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/137

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reflecting on an investigation into the conduct of a Roman Catholic cleric living at Newtownhamilton, County Armagh. Encloses letter from John Hill, chief constable of police, Newtownhamilton, reporting on his inquiry into the political allegiances of local Catholic clergymen. Points out the curate at Newtownhamilton is a man named Reverend McCanna [McKenna], whom he describes as ‘a very drunken dissipated character’ and is ‘in a political sense very much disaffected’. He further remarks that a friar called ‘McDonagh’ has been dwelling in the house of Reverend [John] Donnelly, the parish priest of Newtownhamilton; the friar, he observes, ‘takes every opportunity of sowing sedition in the neighbourhood’, 8 October 1825. Also returns letter from James Dawson, magistrate, Forkhill Lodge, Forkhill, County Armagh, warning that friar ‘McDonagh’ should be removed from the district. He states McDonagh is ‘a dangerous wicked man’ and is acting as curate to Reverend Donnelly. He also reflects upon the circumstances of Arthur Harrison and his family, who are subject to particular hardship and suffering following provision of information in the case against ‘Jack the Carder’ who was implicated for his part in outrages in the barony of Fews Upper, 28 September, 1825. [See also descriptions CSO/RP/1825/408 and CSO/RP/1825/2006].

28 Sep 1825-11 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/138

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on a complaint by William Holmes over the failure of the police at Milltown in County Cavan to prevent the forced release of prisoners. Encloses letter from Holmes [a receiver], Union Place, Dungannon, County Tyrone, to Goulburn, complaining at the conduct of the police at Milltown. Explains he went to that place with a view of delivering a warrant for the arrest of a number of tenants over failure to pay rent; but having secured three prisoners, he and his three bailiffs were attacked by about 100 persons ‘principally armed with sticks’ who liberated the prisoners. Laments through all this commotion not a single member of the police in the village of Milltown interfered. He observes it was Lady Day in the town and ‘there were several Roman catholic priests and a Bishop in the town who in no manner endeavoured to suppress the riot’. Indicates he is prepared to put up a reward of £20 for information on those responsible for the attack, 20 September, 1825. Also copy letter from [Goulburn], Dublin Castle, to Holmes, relaying details of an investigation of his complaint before the magistrates of Belturbet in County Cavan. He conveys that at the time of the disruption only one police constable was present in the barracks of Milltown and his individual efforts would not have amounted to much against such a multitude. He points out in view of the likelihood of large crowds assembling on the holiday in question, application should have been made to the chief constable of Belturbet [John Johnston] for protection, October 1825.

20 Sep 1825-11 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/139

Letter from Samuel Draper, secretary, Royal Canal House, Broadstone, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, requesting night protection for trading boats on the canal at the 13th lock at Maynooth and at Kilcock in County Kildare; at Thomastown and Balna Carig [Ballinacarigy] in County Westmeath; and at Ballymahon and Richmond harbour in County Longford. He indicates steps will be taken to ensure that boats are kept within those areas of the navigation overnight and states a bank ranger is appointed who will act at the Blackwater and [River] Boyne aqueducts.

13 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/140

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting upon attacks and thefts at Killashandra and Bailieborough in County Cavan; reporting upon the assembly of a combative Roman Catholic mob at Newbliss in County Monaghan; reporting upon an attack on the household of ‘Murray’ near Brookeborough in County Fermanagh; reporting upon a ‘violent party quarrel’ at the fair of Derrygonnelly in County Fermanagh; reporting upon some instances of attack and theft at Omagh in County Tyrone; reporting upon an attack upon the person of Andrew O’Neill at Corlicky [Corlacky] in County Londonderry; and reporting upon an ‘illegal meeting of Ribbonmen’ at Portglenone in County Antrim. Encloses copy letter from John Wright, chief constable of police, barony of Banagh, Mountcharles, County Donegal, reporting on a ‘serious Riot’ at the fair of Mountcharles on the 22nd of September. Remarks the constabulary came under heavy attack in the incident and in their defence the police wounded a number of assailants with the bayonet. He further observes that Hugh Mulreany, a Roman Catholic with some local influence, has prepared two memorials making complaint of police behaviour during the riot. Also [transcribed beneath] two further copy letters from Wright dealing with the fallout of the incident, which include a campaign by the local Roman Catholic priest to raise funds to carry legal action against the constabulary, 25 September; 4 October 1825. Also encloses a further copy letter from Wright to D’Arcy, expressing his displeasure at the proceedings of a Catholic [Association] meeting in the parish of Killymard, which he regards as ‘pregnant with much Evil to this Country’. He stresses the presence of a ‘determined disposition to oppose the Laws’ in the locality and fears a conspiracy to launch an attack on the police following the riot at Mountcharles, 1 October 1825.

25 Sep 1825-14 Oct 1825

1825