Search the Catalogue

CSO/RP/SC/1825/221

Copy letter from William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, to A Jacob, Enniscorthy, County Wexford, acknowledging his letter and enclosed memorial from Mary Nowlan asking that her eldest daughter [Mary] be allowed to accompany her to her destination [unspecified but possibly to emigrate overseas]. He requests to learn the precise age of the girl in question.

4 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/222

Letter from Richard Joyce, Claremorris, County Mayo, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, requesting an order be given to Walter Butler, magistrate of Gort in County Galway, to have a prisoner named Martin Walsh [alias Martin Donahoe] transferred to prison in Castlebar, in County Mayo, to await trial. He alleges that Walsh stole a horse from his lands at Claremorris and under law should be brought before a court in County Mayo. [See also description CSO/RP/1825/1517].

7 Jul 1825-11 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/223

Draft letter from the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, to Colonel J Irwin, magistrate, Tanrego, barony of Tireragh, County Sligo, responding to his report of an intensification in violent disturbances and intimidation in County Sligo. Acknowledges his plea for an extension of the powers given the police constabulary, particularly the freedom to act against rioters or those engaged in a breach of the peace at local fairs or markets without the supervision of a magistrate. Stresses, however, the logic behind the present regulations and statutes, which are designed to protect the public peace as well as guard against use of unnecessary force by the police; observes the current difficulties can be addressed without making adjustment to the formal regulations governing the conduct of the constabulary. Indicates the attention of Major George Warburton, superintendent general of police for counties Galway, Clare and Roscommon, has been directed to the present state of the County Sligo, and it is hoped that a number of measures such as more frequent patrols and an increase in police activity and detention will affect a change for the better. If justification exists, a special magistrate may be appointed to attend a particular fair or market under the provisions of the Constable Act. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/184].

15 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/224

Letter from John Murphy, [land agent], Clonony Castle, Cloghan, King’s County [County Offaly], to Edmund Molony, Woodlands, County Dublin, requesting advise as to what action to take following the removal of part of a bridge wall on the Clonony estate lands by Charles Hume, a near relative of Captain L’Estrange of Huntstown. He observes the breach was created in the wall and horses taken across to get drinking water with the perpetrators threatening anyone who opposed their action with law proceedings. Remarks that since access to water can be had nearby it ‘was true malice he tumbled your wall’. He also mentions that no rental income has been got from your tenants ‘unless you send me an order to distress them as they say they have no money until the crop comes in’.

12 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/225

Letter from [Captain] Daniel Mansergh, [formerly of 43rd regiment of foot], Roscrea, County Tipperary, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reflecting on local tensions over an orange flag in the town of Roscrea. As he is not a magistrate, he remarks, he was unable to forward a statement to government on the matter. In any case he admits, the arrival of Richard Willcocks, inspector general of police, renders any further action on his part unnecessary. Observes the 12th of July passed over without major incident despite portents of a major disturbance. [See also description CSO/RP/1825/981].

14 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/226

Letter from John Macan, assistant barrister for the West Riding of Cork, 18 North Cumberland Street, Dublin, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, concerning a case involving an accusation of assault by Michael London on Edward Burke, a sub constable of police, based at Clonakilty in County Cork. Also second letter from Macan, Clonakilty, to Gregory, expressing his dissatisfaction at the misconduct of Burke as revealed in the proceedings of the case. [Also remarks with some regret on the lack of progress in erecting courthouses and bridewells in the district of West Riding], 8 July 1825. He encloses a report on the case which incorporates submissions by Burke and his colleague John McGorman before the general sessions of Clonakilty. Burke recalls on 7th of June outside the town of Bandon he found a number of loose stones deposited on the public road and took it upon himself to find the person or persons responsible for the nuisance. Having identified London as a suspect, a confrontation took place which saw a chase and struggle after which London was taken prisoner. Burke accuses London of throwing a stone in his direction but denies inflicting injuries with a sword although he admits to having attempted to load his pistol. Also encloses a certificate in favour of Burke, signed by 15 magistrates of Clonakilty. [Contains list of names not given in this description]

5 Jul 1825-11 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/227

Letter from Rowley Miller, magistrate, Moneymore, County Londonderry, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, seeking direction from government over whether an orange procession planned for the 12th of July should be prohibited. Refers to a meeting of the magistrates at Magherafelt on the issue and conveys their opinion that the event could not be curtailed without an affidavit to effect the ‘public peace was likely to be endangered’. Also copy letter from the secretary of the orange society of Moneymore to Miller acknowledging a communication to one of their members, Samuel Thompson, stating they are ‘on no better footing than that of Ribbonmen’. Nonetheless, they signal their intention to meet and parade on the 12th of July.

4 Jul 1825-6 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/228

Letter from William Murray, magistrate, Dungannon, County Tyrone, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reporting on an orange procession in the town and district of Dungannon on the 12th of July. Regrets the parades took place despite the protestations of the magistrates and local gentry. He states the marches were attended only by the ‘lower orders of the people’ and passed off without incident.

14 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/229

File of papers relating to an investigation of the identity of Michael Ryan [known variously under the aliases James Ryan, Michael Kean and James Kean], a suspect in the murder of a gatekeeper on the estate of Sir John Burke of Glinsk, in County Galway. Includes copy affidavit from Mary Feehan, Roscrea, County Tipperary, in which she accuses Ryan of being one of the persons implicated in the killing of the gatekeeper which took place some [20] years back. She alleges he was apprehended at that time but later escaped from the custody of the military; the suspect, she claims, later joined the 62nd regiment of foot but subsequently absconded from the depot at Cork, County Cork; sworn before William Hutchinson and WP Vaughan, magistrates, 9 May 1823. Also includes letter from William Nash, chief constable of police, Roscrea, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, seeking the advice of government as to the disposition of Ryan who is presently held in the bridewell of Roscrea. States a communication has been sent to Major George Warburton, inspector general of police for Connaught, seeking an investigation of the matter in County Galway, but as yet no answer is received. Observes the suspect is ‘a man of most suspicious appearance’ but remarks the magistrates ‘feel awkwardly situated’ over his continued detention in prison, 24 May 1825. Also includes letter from H McDonald, chief constable of police, Loughrea, County Galway, to Gregory, enclosing letter from Joseph Burke, Glinsk, expressing opinion that the man he knows as Kean is unlikely to be a murderer. Indicates he would need see the suspect in person to determine if he is the same individual who left the area about 7 years back and who married an older woman whom he later abandoned, 2; 5 July 1825.

9 May 1823-5 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/230

Letter from William Devenish Meares, magistrate, Meares Court, Ballynacargy, County Westmeath, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, appealing for the intervention of government following notification of law proceedings against him by Thomas Kenny who was held in connection with the murder of Samuel Robinson. He explains that Kenny brings the charge on the grounds he was arrested and kept in custody but no formal evidence was presented nor charges made in court against him; he also complains of failure to return a number of decrees and notes earlier confiscated. Meares points out that advice on the detention of Kenny and other suspects was taken from government and contends that responsibility to return personal papers to Kenny rested with Mr Martin, the chief constable of police at Kilbeggan, County Westmeath. Also letter from Meares to Piers Geale, crown solicitor, 10 Lower Gloucester Street, Dublin, providing details of the matter to date and offering some reflections on Kenny’s strategy in the proceedings.

24 Apr 1825-28 Apr 1825

1825