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CSO/RP/SC/1825/151

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing an account of police duties in the city of Limerick for the month of October plus a detail of expenses for the same period [neither present]. Remarks in the interim since his last report his jurisdiction was ‘free from Insurrectionary Outrage’.

7 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/152

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, calling attention to the apparent hostility of the magistracy of County Fermanagh towards the police constabulary. Encloses copy letter from Captain John Joyce, pay clerk and chief constable of County Fermanagh, Arney Bridge, near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, complaining of the opposition show by some local magistrates to the work of the police [in enforcing writs against tenants of the Royal School lands]. He remarks, while such men hold commissions ‘there can be no peace’ in the county ‘nor can the Police do their duty’. Attaches a summons to attend court at Enniskillen on the 7th of November to answer charges relating to damage to the dwelling house of Thomas Keyes; issued to Hugh Johnston, constable of police; Felix Cavanagh and Samuel Noble, sub constables; and James Donnelly, sheriff’s bailiff.

4 Nov 1825-7 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/153

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, relaying reports for the month of October from the district chief constables of police. Encloses copy letter from David Duff, chief constable of police, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, reporting on the demolition of an cow house belonging to ‘Barton’ located at Tullylack [Tullylark] near Pettigo. Some gunshots were discharged into the building by the assailants, he remarks, which killed one of the cows, 27 October 1825. Also encloses copy letter from Alexander Kingston Fox, chief constable of police, Newbliss, County Monaghan, reporting on the stiff resistance shown to land agent Thomas Rogers of Glinch Lodge who attempted to distrain for rent arrears on a local property. He remarks following legal proceedings by Rogers against some of the tenants, a threatening notice appeared on his hall door warning ‘He would receive a visit from captain Rock’ should he persist in his action, 31 October 1825. Also encloses copy letter from Captain John McLeod, chief constable and pay clerk of County Tyrone, Omagh, County Tyrone, reporting on the assault of Andrew Alcorn on the road between Omagh and Dromore; on the beating of Andrew McNickle on the road between Omagh and Gortin; and on an attack on Timothy Thompson, police sub constable, outside the town of Omagh, 1 November 1825. Also encloses copy letter from George O’Brien, chief constable of police, Clogher, County Tyrone, reporting on the dismantling of a property on the estate of Reverend [Francis] Gervais by a group of night marauders, some of whom have been identified but not yet arrested, 1 November 1825. Also encloses copy letter from James Ross, chief constable of police, Emyvale, County Monaghan, reporting on the destruction by fire of ‘a House, two corn stacks, and the greater part of a turf stack’ being the property of James Eakin of Glaslough, County Monaghan, 1 November 1825. Also encloses copy letter from Peyton Sheals, chief constable of police, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, reporting on a violent attack by a group of country people upon a number of bailiffs who were in process of serving an order on a property outside Irvinestown. He observes ‘the bailiffs lost a Pistol in the fight’ but as yet none of the guilty party have been apprehended, 1 November 1825. Also encloses copy letter from [John] Wright, chief constable of police, Newtown Limavady, County Londonderry, reporting on an arson attack on a corn mill operated by William Nesbitt, presumed to be the work of a person or party ‘dissatisfied at the manner in which the tolls were exacted’, 1 November 1825. Also encloses copy letter from John Clarke, chief constable of police, Ahoghill, County Antrim, reporting on the burning of turf, breaking of windows and use of violent language against Patrick Muldoon, on the townland of Killygoran, near Portglenone. He also comments upon the robbery of a woman in the village of Galgorm by three men, of whom just one has been identified, 1 November 1825. Also encloses copy letter from Captain John Joyce, pay clerk and chief constable of County Fermanagh, Arney Bridge, near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, reporting on a confrontation with William McNight [or McKnight], one of a number of recalcitrant tenants on school lands attached to Enniskillen Royal School. He states the police having been called out to assist the sheriff’s bailiffs in the execution of law processes on the estate, were severely threatened by McNight who was armed with a gun, 4 November 1825. [For further information on the difficulties in lifting rents on the Enniskillen school lands, see also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/149].

27 Oct 1825-7 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/154

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, sending a copy of information received in connection with an outrage perpetrated by activists of a trade combination in the city [not present] and asking for direction from the law officers of the crown as to the best course of prosecution. As to the case at issue, he remarks, it is a ‘very daring outrage’ which has its origins in the combinations movement. He seeks a firm response as the public peace is ‘threatened with much disturbance by the several trades in this City’. He adds the informant [John Keane] has sustained considerable personal loss [of a web and loom] but is happy to report that two persons have been caught in connection with the outrage. He also remarks with satisfaction that John Morrissay [Morrissey] has been tracked down and brought into custody for the murder of his wife, which took place about two years ago.

10 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/155

Letter from Sydenham Davis, sovereign, Thomastown, County Meath, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, complaining of the presence of a ‘gang of Robbers’ in the neighbourhood and explaining his strategy for their apprehension. He points out they have been active in the area over the past 18 months and have been linked to four separate incidents; yet for fear of retaliation no one will come forward because informers are viewed in a ‘contemptible light’. States he has formed a friendship with one of the party, and that individual is prepared to give information which will lead to their conviction provided he be paid a reward and is offered a pardon for past offences. He requests to learn if his action has the sanction of government or has he exceeded his remit.

10 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/156

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Cavan, County Cavan, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, directing attention to a ‘cruel murder’ near the village of Mountfield in County Tyrone on the night of the 6th of November. With annotation on top from Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, expressing his outright revulsion at the killing, probably the ‘most shocking murder…which has occurred during my Government’. Encloses letter from Captain John McLeod, chief constable and pay clerk of County Tyrone, Omagh, County Tyrone, reporting on the murder of Francis McCullow [McCullough] of the townland of Binnafreaghan, parish of Bodoney Lower and barony of Strabane. He describes the killing as ‘a murder of the most barbarous nature’ as the diseased met his death as a result of the use of ‘some sharp instrument’. Conveys something of the cruel nature of the crime, ‘the man’s head being cut with a shovel in a dreadful manner’ and his body being subject to repeated lacerations. Concludes the reason for the murder is likely linked to a local land dispute and reports that a number of persons have been taken into police custody for subsequent examination by the magistrates.

8 Nov 1825-12 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/157

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on the outcome of an investigation into resistance to law processes by tenants on school lands [Enniskillen Royal School] in County Fermanagh. He conveys information was taken with respect to the part played by one of the offenders [William McNight or McKnight] for ‘presenting a loaded Gun at the Constable[s]’. States the suspect is being held on bail awaiting trial at the next assizes. [See also descriptions CSO/RP/SC/1825/149 and CSO/RP/SC/1825/153].

15 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/158

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Omagh, County Tyrone, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on an investigation of an alleged failure to act by certain police constables during an assault on Private Nicholas Crosby in Omagh on 31st of October. Encloses a letter from Captain John McLeod, chief constable and pay clerk of County Tyrone, Omagh, County Tyrone, conveying it was found by enquiry the policemen are not guilty of the charge as preferred by Lieutenant Crew, of the 2nd royal veteran battalion at Omagh. Also encloses copy of the minutes of the enquiry into the incident with testimony from Crosby stating the police did not see or hear the assault upon him by a number of country men after dark, ‘he not having made any noise, or alarm of the attack made upon him, from the suddenness of it’. Sworn before Reverend McCrigan [McCregan] and Alexander Campbell, magistrates of County Tyrone.

11 Nov 1825-18 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/159

Copy report of an investigation into the cause of a fire at the police stables at Mullinavat in County Kilkenny on the night of 30th of October 1825. Includes statements by Sergeant Wade; James Walsh, proprietor of the stables; Mary McDonnell, servant maid; James Bulger, carpenter; Edward Furlong, smith; John Power, carpenter; Patrick Reid, local property owner; and William Hatchet, police constable, sworn before Bartholomew Dillon, magistrate. With letter overleaf from Dillon, Ballyquin, County Waterford, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, contending ‘the fire was not accidental’ but states he is ‘of opinion that the malice of the incendiary was more directed to the injury of the Public and Walsh than to the police Establishment’. He proposes that a reward be offered for the apprehension of the culprits.

19 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/160

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 an application by John Murphy for an investigation of his dismissal from the police establishment of County Fermanagh. He conveys that while acting as a sub constable at Balinamallard Murphy had taken leave of absence for two days without authorisation and ‘returned in a state of intoxication, broke the windows of the Barracks, and acted in a very disorderly manner’. Concludes he does not regard Murphy’s case as one that deserves consideration since he had previously exhibited irregular attendance and is ‘addicted to drink’. Returns memorial from Murphy, Irvinestown, County Fermanagh, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, alleging the charges laid against him are false and requesting an investigation. With affidavit recorded beneath by Murphy attesting to the truth of his memorial, sworn before Edward Archdall, magistrate of County Fermanagh; also statement in his favour sanctioned by Archdall and 14 other magistrates.

20 Oct 1825-22 Nov 1825

1825