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CSO/RP/SC/1825/341

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, admitting the need for a responsive police establishment, especially in the context of the growing threat of combinations amongst the lower orders in County Westmeath, and in nearby districts of County Longford. Expresses his concurrence with the view of Mr [Thomas] Whitney, magistrate of County Westmeath, as to the need for special allocation of police manpower to those areas where serious disturbance is likely. At the same time, he detects a difference of opinion between local magistrates over how popular disorder is defined. In the circumstances he finds himself, he emphasises, the practical ‘impossibility’ of meeting or satisfying all demands for protection with limited human resources. Encloses letter from the magistrates of the barony of Fartullagh, Moylisker Petty Sessions, County Westmeath, protesting over the loss of the chief constable and a number of regular constables from the barony. Conveys their dissatisfaction over the recent adjustment to the quota of policemen allocated to their area on account of a ‘trifling alarm’ in a neighbouring barony. Such a reduction in the force is not acceptable, they complain, since the barony make a proportional contribution to the cost of the police establishment. Signed by Ralph Smyth, and four other magistrates. [Contains list of names not given in this description]

7 Sep 1825-20 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/342

Letter from John Palliser, magistrate, Kilcomeragh Lodge, Kilmacthomas, County Waterford, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing copy of proceedings of the magistrates convened to investigate the conduct of the police in Stradbally during a riot on the 14th of September. At issue in the case, they observe, is the discharge of live ammunition by the police during the disturbance and the subsequent wounding of Thomas Foley. Conveys the evidence of 16 witnesses in the matter which was centred at the public house of Patrick Cummins, where a heated disagreement saw the police being summoned to keep the peace. Having put the people out of the drinking establishment, a riot ensued and stones were thrown at the constables; in response Sergeant Downing ordered his two colleagues to open fire on the mob.

16 Sep 1825-17 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/343

Letter from Robert Pakenham, magistrate, Ballyshannon, County Donegal, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, drawing attention to the case of John Scott who is accused of wounding Edward Rogan by gunshot on the evening of the 9th of September. Indicates that Scott is now held in the gaol of Lifford and asks if bail may be extended to him; also signed beneath by Charles Ferguson, E Conolly and TJ Atkinson, magistrates of Ballyshannon [Petty Sessions]. Encloses copy of certificate stating that Rogan has received a gunshot wound in his left arm but his life is not in any immediate danger, signed by Robert H Bolton, surgeon to the 78th regiment of foot, JW Crawford and J Britton [medical practitioners].

14 Sep 1825-19 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/344

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, indicating he has given orders to Lieutenant Gunn to report to the civil office [Dublin Castle] to receive his commission as chief constable of police for the barony of Moyfenrath in County Meath. As to personal fitness, he affirms, Gunn meets the necessary criteria and is ‘fully qualified’ for the situation.

17 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/345

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on the general state of law and order in the province of Leinster. He reflects upon the existence of aggressive combinations in counties Westmeath and Longford who are prone to using terror and violence against any person who refused to dismiss a servant from a foreign county, or those who accepted leases on land where the former tenant had been ejected. Nonetheless, he observes, some of the agitators have been arrested and the peace stabilised through the prudent allocation of the constabulary to troubled parts. Expresses his regret that ‘a stack of Oats was destroyed, which had been given up for Tythe [tithe] by a Farmer’ in the barony of Moygoish, Co Westmeath, but is hopeful that continued vigilance by the police will see an end to such atrocities. Emphasises his satisfaction over the outcome of magisterial intervention to control the sectarian excesses apparent in the town of Mountmellick, Queen’s County [County Laois; Leix]; remarks he engaged with Major Chetwood, who in turn used his influence with the orange faction to bring about a transformation in that place ‘without giving the slightest triumph to either party’. Encloses a table showing details of outrages committed in the province of Leinster during the course of the month of August 1825. Displays data for 10 different categories of crime, including murder and ‘Pike Making’. [See also descriptions CSO/RP/SC/1825/276 and CSO/RP/SC/1825/319].

12 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/346

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, conveying he has received applications from Thomas Stewart and James Gibbons to fill the situation of chief constable of police. In person, both men presented their qualifications and both were deemed suitable to act in the constabulary. Another applicant, Mr Crawley, also presented a letter [sent for consideration or endorsed by Lord Roden] but as it not taken further since it concerned appointment to a different district.

20 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/347

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Dundalk, County Louth, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting his attendance at a meeting of magistrates of County Louth convened for the purpose of nominating police constables for that county. He observes, after some debate, it was resolved to support a total of 80 constables, the full compliment as stipulated under the proclamation of government. In view of the area requiring protection, he recommended to the meeting that 4 chief constable ‘would be quite sufficient’ to supervise the force.

6 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/348

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on an investigation of a charge of drunkenness against three members of the police establishment of County Meath. He recommends the dismissal of the whole guilty party but believes the sergeant should be readmitted the constabulary after a period of two months, on account of past ‘good conduct’. Encloses copy proceedings of the investigation of the matter by the magistrates of County Meath, sitting in petty session at Dunshaughlin, County Meath. Outlines the case against Sergeant P Fagan, John Neal and John Meredith, police constables, and relays the evidence of 8 principle witnesses in the case. It is alleged that during a period of intoxication by the men on Saturday 13th of August a shutter [or window] was broken at Mr Yourell’s public house [Blackbull] and an altercation took place during which a shot was discharged. Enquiry presided over by Lord Killeen [Arthur James Plunkett, 8th earl of Fingall], Lord Dunsany [Edward Wadding Plunkett, 14th Baron of Dunsany], Ellias Corbally, Elias Corbally and John Johnston, magistrates of County Meath.

19 Aug 1825-27 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/349

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 [Hugh Boyd] Wray, chief constable of police, Borris in Ossory, Queen’s County [County Laois; Leix], reporting on the death of William Purcell of Paddock due to a serious attack made on him near to the town of Mountrath. Relays the result of the coroner’s investigation which found the fatal injuries were inflicted by two men of the name of Fitzpatrick and Phelan who acted in concord with ‘others unknown’. Emphasises the incident was not motivated by sectarian passions but appears to have its origin in ‘a Challenge given by an individual of a drinking party and accepted by the deceased’. Remarks that Mountrath is conspicuous as a place where the law is not respected and has been the scene of a number of murders, as yet unsettled by conviction.

17 Aug 1825-19 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/350

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, [Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, admitting the service and usefulness of informers who reveal information on the activities of combinations in Ireland; but stresses such persons ‘require to be paid extraordinarily’ for which he needs the authority or sanction of government. Encloses letter from Sir George Ralph Fetherston, [MP for County Longford], Ardagh, Longford, County Longford, complaining of the late extension of lawlessness, house burnings, arms theft and intimidation in his locality. Relays details of arson attacks on the turf of 'Ward' and 'Mason' and indicates he has placed in prison a suspect for stealing arms from Mr Knight, a resident of [?Abbeyshrule]. Stresses his conviction that the origin of the trouble lies in County Westmeath, and states he believes a group of disaffected individuals are operating out of the town of Granard [County Longford]. Laments as matters stand ‘the Police cannot check it’ and the people are ‘too much intimidated’ to give evidence against the Rockites for fear of retaliation. He calls for the appointment of a suitable person to act as undercover agent to infiltrate the structure of that organisation.

12 Aug 1825-17 Aug 1825

1825