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CSO/RP/SC/1825/331

File of material relating to the issue of the protection of boats and property on the Royal Canal in the vicinity of Ballymahon, County Longford. Includes letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, recommending a company of infantry be placed at Ballymahon in County Longford as protection for the boatmen and vessels on the Royal Canal. In a bid to further stifle outrage and intimidation in the district, he advocates, the ‘captain of each Boat be made an especial Constable’, [17] November 1825. Also includes letter from Thomas Bodkin, [chief constable of police, Lanesborough, County Roscommon], Branagan [Brannigan] Harbour, to the directors of the Royal Canal, [Broadstone, Dublin], underscoring his need for additional men to provide security to vessels in the vicinity of the harbour against attack. Expresses his regret over the sinking of a boat last night by a group of agitators, an act that could have been prevented had local boatmen intervened or sought the help of police, 4 October 1825. Also includes letter from Lieutenant Colonel A Wedderburn, governor, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, to Goulburn, confirming that a body of infantry will be dispatched to Ballymahon ‘to aid the police in the suppression of the system of terror and Combination which appears to prevail against the trade and navigation’ of the canal, 12 December 1825. [See also descriptions CSO/RP/1825/1695 and CSO/RP/SC/1825/318].

4 Oct 1825-21 Dec 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/332

Letter from the chief magistrates, head office of police, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on an attack on the livestock of Miles Reilly of Oldbawn, near Tallagh, County Dublin. Encloses copy of statement from Reilly claiming that the tails of 9 cows were severed and a ‘valuable mare heavy in foal worth twenty pounds’ was ‘maliciously killed by means of a pitch fork or some instrument like it’. Reveals he suspect members of a family called [Brow] who were previously tenants on the farm, prior to being ejected; sworn before Major Henry Charles Sirr, chief magistrate, Dublin.

8 Nov 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/333

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, drawing attention of government to the case of John Quinlish [or Quinlisk], whose evidence is central to the prosecution of ribbonmen in County Longford. He urges that Quinlish be brought to Dublin and given subsistence until such time as he can appear at the [county] assizes, 4 October 1825. Encloses letter from Gustavus Brooke, chief constable of police and pay clerk, Longford, to Powell, conveying he is concerned for the welfare of Quinlish having heard of a plot to burn the barracks where he is held; he recommends the removal of Quinlish with his family to Dublin to countervail the effect of any such threat, 29 September 1825. Also letter from Reverend James Moffett, magistrate, Ballymahon, County Longford, to Goulburn, seeking the protection of Quinlish whom he asserts is ‘in danger of losing his life’. If government does not support him in the present circumstances, he warns, ‘the prosecution will fall to the ground’. Expresses a conviction that the Rockite movement ‘is increasing rapidly’ in the county, with regular searches for arms been made by that illicit confraternity, 3 October 1825. Encloses letter from Quinlish, Abbeyshrule, to Moffett, complaining he is ‘in Limbo’ at present and in need of the protection of government, 2 October 1825. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/269].

29 Sep 1825-4 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/334

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing a letter from Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Toler Osborne, chief constable and pay clerk of police, County Westmeath, reporting on the apprehension of a number of Ribbonmen, having in their possession a pistol, whip and copy of the ‘Ribbon Catechism’. Also makes reference to the discharge of a quantity of rounds of ammunition in his district last night and expresses opinion that the country at large ‘requires the utmost Vigilancy’ by the law enforcement agencies. Also encloses letter from Gustavus Brooke, chief constable of police and pay clerk, Longford, County Longford, reflecting on the escape from the new gaol of Longford of six men. He reports that two prisoners charged with Rockite offences have been retaken, but the remainder are still at large. Particular measures, he conveys, are now taken to detect the whereabouts of Edward Fitzsimons, wanted in connection with ‘administering illegal oaths’; of Bryan Magarry, who is wanted for robbery of arms; of Michael Tansey, who is suspected of ‘Horse Stealing’; and another escapee named ‘Dunn’ who is wanted in connection with the theft of pigs.

24 Oct 1825-25 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/335

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reflecting upon a number of outrages in the county of Westmeath. In one case made reference to, he traces the source of outrage to ill feeling harboured by local parishioners following the forced removal of their parish priest. Encloses letter from Thomas Davidson, chief constable of police, Balnalack [Ballinalack], County Westmeath, reporting on a night attack on the residence of Mr McLoughlin of Templeoran by two intruders who took away the sum of £6 and ‘every article of wearing apparel they could collect’. He also conveys that a total of 28 sheep belonging to Thomas McCormick and James McCormick were ‘killed with a sharp instrument’ on the townland of Ballysallagh, near Balmacary [Ballynacarrigy]; one of the men, he notes, is brother to Reverend McCormick, parish priest of Mullingar, ‘who the Country people conceive to be the means of removing the late Priest from this Parish’. Also reports that 22 sheep and two mares, the property of Thomas Murtagh were killed or badly injured by night marauders on the townland of Old Ballynacarrigy. The reason behind the attack, he presumes, is because Murtagh a day earlier removed tenants for failure to meet rental demands.

30 Sep 1825-6 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/336

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, acknowledging letter and indicating a report by Mr Davidson was forwarded to government on the 8th of October. [Likely a report on the state of County Westmeath by Thomas Davidson, chief constable of police, Ballinalack, see reference CSO/RP/SC/1825/335].

11 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/337

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Navan, County Meath, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, applauding the promptitude and magnanimity of the leading men of the town of Navan and vicinity in response to a rise in murder and outrage in their community. Refers to the offer of a reward by the assembly and reports a number of suspects have been lately apprehended for serious crime; the suspects, he continues, are now held in the gaol of Trim, where they must await trial at the next assizes. Encloses resolutions of the noblemen, magistrates and landholders of County Meath, affirming their determined opposition to those who engage in lawless acts. They express their intention of subscribing a sum of money to be used in reward for information on those responsible for murder or serious offence. Emphasises their regret that two murders took place in very recent times and indicates their confidence in the professional capacity of John Henderson, local chief constable of police, to whom they entrust a portion of the fund. Provides on foot a list of money subscribed by 40 different persons, with the name of Lord Killeen [Arthur James Plunkett, 8th earl of Fingall] on top. [Contains list of names not given in this description]

14 Oct 1825-15 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/338

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing a letter from William Kelly, chief constable of police, Gorey, County Wexford, requesting instructions on the propriety of taking steps to ensnare a number of persons suspected of distributing ‘Base Coin’ or counterfeit currency in the towns of Birr [Parsonstown] and Edenderry in King’s County [County Offaly]. Explains he has sent a communication to the governors of the bank of Ireland to ask for assistance with the expenditure of ‘tracing and bringing the offenders to justice’, to which the governors replied in the negative. As he has now access to those giving information on the crime, he wishes to learn if he may proceed to Birr to carry the force of the law against the forgers.

20 Oct 1825-23 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/339

Letter from John H Hatton, chief constable of police, Naas, County Kildare, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing a copy statement from Michael Horigan [Hourigan], a prisoner in the gaol of Naas held on suspicion of vagrancy. Horigan states in the month of May past, he departed for England where he secured employment with a number of individuals, including William Stringer, master weaver of Warrington. Claims he is from near the Hill of Allen, in County Kildare, and is acquainted with Reverend Crowley, Church of Ireland rector of Connell, and Mr White of Robertstown in County Kildare. [Marked on reverse by CSO as a letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary; likely the original cover letter from Powell is missing].

1 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/340

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, offering his thoughts on some manifestations of disorder in counties Longford and Meath. Encloses letter from Lieutenant John Henderson, chief constable of police, Navan, County Meath, reporting on a night attack on Charles Rixton of the town of Navan at a place called Ardsalla [Ardsallagh], during which he was assailed ‘in a most inhuman manner’. Waylaying, he remarks, has been increasing of late in frequency, and in general there is an appearance of an unruly spirit amongst the lower orders of the neighbourhood. He remarks ‘they have nominated themselves “the man of the Sack” and the man who cannot answer their sign is immediately knocked down on their approach’. Conveys the efforts of the magistracy are directed towards the suppression of such transgressions in the populace, and one individual has been taken into custody in days past. He adds in a postscript that the man attacked at Ardsallagh has died of his injuries, 23 September 1825. Also encloses letter from Henderson [marked ‘Private’] with observations on the proceedings of a meeting of the magistrates of Duleek; he states they have agreed to offer a reward for information on a number of local robberies and are resolved to act as nightly assistants to the regular police, to assist with keeping the peace. He conveys that Reverend Brabazon, the local Church of Ireland rector, has requested the assistants to the constables during nocturnal patrols be provided with ‘Arms and Ammunition’; on this matter Henderson asks for advice but expresses his own disinclination towards such a measure. Indicates the introduction of a new police station might be feasible in a location close to Brabazon’s residence; if so, he continues, this might silence the call for special constables in the district, 23 September 1825. Also encloses letter from Gustavus Brooke, chief constable of police and pay clerk, Longford, County Longford, reporting an attack on the residence of Robert Johnstone [yeoman] at Carlagan [Corlagan] by an armed party of Rockites on the night of the 18th of September. In the event, he remarks, Johnstone refused to hand over his arms and his house and that of his neighbour [Healey] were set alight and destroyed by fire. The assailants, he notes, also made a demand for arms from Healey, and not meeting with success, they secured the doors against escape, prior to setting alight his dwelling. A weapon was also forcibly taken by the gang from a man named McAtee, he notes, but none of the perpetrators have been accurately identified.

22 Sep 1825-25 Sep 1825

1825