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CSO/RP/SC/1825/41

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reflecting on a communication from Reverend Patrick M Cumming, [Church of Ireland minister], Magheracloony Glebe, County Monaghan, concerning the malicious destruction of a cow shed by fire. Defends the conduct of the police in the affair and points to the difficulty of detection in the early hours of the morning. Remarks on the deficiency of policemen in the barony but undertakes nonetheless to allocate an additional sub constable to the station of Magheracloony. Returns letter from Cumming, Magheracloony Glebe, [post town is Kingscourt, County Cavan], to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, drawing attention to the outrage perpetrated upon ' Anderson' who lost 10 animals when his outhouse was set alight. Comments upon the sectarian nature of the crime and seeks an augmentation of constables at the local police station.

23 Jan 1825-8 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/42

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, seeking permission to transfer chief constables within the area under his jurisdiction. Such an option, he explains, will prove useful in cases where a chief constable has ‘local attachment’ or where ‘hostility’ is shown by a magistrate or for other reasons.

4 Feb 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/43

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Dublin, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reporting on an arson attack on a dwelling in County Monaghan. Indicates the fire which destroyed a quantity of livestock had a malicious motive. Encloses letter from William Henry, chief constable of police, barony of Farney, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, conveying details of the burning of George Anderson’s cow house in the parish of Magheracloony. States he was present at the magistrate’s enquiry and can adduce no reason for the attack except a sectarian one, since Anderson ‘is a Protestant’. Prior to the outrage, he notes, ‘there was no tumultuous assembly nor any riot whatever, but there was a wake in the neighbourhood on Saturday night’. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/41].

25 Jan 1825-28 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/44

Letter from Francis Despard, magistrate, Killaghy Castle, County Tipperary, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, seeking settlement of the sum of £22 6s 8d laid out in maintenance of crown witnesses in a recent murder case. Also second letter from Despard to Gregory making reference to some communications with government in respect of his expenditure towards the subsistence of [murder] witnesses. Asserts he spend a sum of money on behalf of ‘Meehan’ and ‘Dillon’ ‘for erecting Houses & purchasing Cattle’ and £50 allocated for the use of ‘Shelly’ still remains in hand as ‘circumstances at the time not allowing his leaving the country’.

15 Jan 1825-25 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/45

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 outbreak of sectarian violence at Fivemiletown, Fintona and Clogher, in County Tyrone. Comments at length on the breakdown of relations between the Protestant and Roman Catholic lower orders in the district, a circumstance that has brought bouts of violence, riot and even murder. Remarks upon the animosity and mutual distrust of the opposing factions: ‘both parties in many places have been staying up whole nights so great has been the dread’. To allay the discontent and trouble he recommends the appointment of a special officer [or magistrate] who will act in concert with the local magistrates and police to supervise those places where crowds usually assemble, such as fairs and market towns. He further observes the peace of the county might be better secured by the appointment of an additional chief constable. Encloses letter from George O’Brien, chief constable of police, Augher, County Tyrone, conveying details of a sectarian confrontation in Clogher at the time of divine service in the local Church of Ireland. In the violence that ensued, he remarks, ‘some of the Roman Catholicks have received Gun shot wounds’ and a report was circulated amongst the Protestant people that ‘the Bishop and the Clergyman were dragged from the church and the magistrate killed’.

3 Jan 1825-17 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/46

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, confirming his intention of travelling to Dublin on Thursday next for a personal meeting with the Chief Secretary.

17 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/47

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 a meeting of magistrates in the town of Enniskillen. He states that 28 members of the magistracy were in attendance on the occasion, with John Willoughby Cole, 2nd earl of Enniskillen, acting as chairman. A vote was taken on the question of having an increase in the number of police constables, he observes, which saw a majority come out in favour.

11 Jan 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/48

Letter from Reverend Meade Dennis, magistrate and Church of Ireland clergyman, Union Hill, Mullingar, County Westmeath, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, calling for the appointment of an official to aid with the issuing of bench warrants following the removal of police assistance. Expresses regrets over the loss of assistance from the constabulary in serving warrants and complains the magistrates are now exposed to the threat of law proceedings in matters relating to recovery of tithes, pay arrears and the stolen goods. He seeks the appointment of a special officer or the introduction of a clause in the legislature to reinforce the power of local magistrates.

30 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/49

Letter from Reverend Meade Dennis, magistrate and Church of Ireland clergyman, Union Hill, Mullingar, County Westmeath, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, expressing concern over an order preventing the use of the police constabulary in issuing warrants for the recovery of tithe. Asks where will an alternative be found since ‘there is always more or less Resistance’ in matter of this sort. Encloses copy of printed general order stating ‘The Police Force cannot properly be employed in the execution of Tithe Warrants’. However, they may take action if a breach of the peace has occurred in the process of delivering a warrant to any individual. Signed by William Henderson, Inspector General’s Office, Province of Leinster.

17 Nov 1823-2 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/50

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reporting on the murder of James Hickey on the night of the 26th of February in the city of Limerick. Indicates the deceased and his father were proceeding to their place of residence in the parish of Inch St Lawrence when the attack took place. Remarks on the absence of ‘political motive’ in the killing and states that three suspects are now in custody ‘with every probability of a conviction’. Also letter from Drought to Gregory, enclosing copy affidavits from James Hickey Sr, Michael Hickey and John Hogan, making accusations against Michael Hinchey, Michael Roache and Patrick Considinn relative to the murder; sworn before Henry Watson, mayor of Limerick, and G Drought, magistrate.

28 Feb 1825-1 Mar 1825

1825