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CSO/RP/SC/1825/71

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 upon the assault and murder of ‘McKenna’ a Roman Catholic of Ballygawley in County Tyrone. Observes that general district remains marked by ‘violence and animosity of party feeling’ in spite of such feelings receding elsewhere. He states two Protestant suspects are now in custody for the crime and anticipates the fair and impartial application of the law by the constabulary will shortly restore order. Encloses report from George O’Brien, chief constable of police, Augher, County Tyrone, detecting a sectarian motive in the murder of McKenna. So far, he states, evidence has been gathered on one suspect, Charles Montgomery, ‘a violent party man’, who is now detained in prison at Omagh. Suspicion has also been cast on Hugh Moore, for acting as an accomplice to Montgomery in the killing of a pig on the same night as the murder. Adds a reward has been put up by local gentlemen to entice those with information to come forward to the authorities. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/63].

17 Apr 1825-20 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/72

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on the proceedings of the late assizes for the city and liberties of Limerick. For the crime of larceny or theft, he remarks, 17 persons were tried and convicted, all of whom face transportation. All three suspects in the murder case of James Hickey, were convicted of manslaughter, and ‘Brady’ and Patrick McInerney were found guilty of the murder of James McMahon. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/50 for further information on the murder of Hickey].

14 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/73

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 couple of imperious requests from magistrates to the police. Refers to an enclosed order slip from Robert Henry Southwell and [Michael] Young, magistrates, County Cavan, to JL Raymond, chief constable of police, Killashandra, County Cavan, requesting that Hugh Rock be taken into police custody and brought before them at a later hour for ‘further examination’. Such a request, he declares, is more akin to what might be given to a bridewell keeper rather that ‘an officer of Police’. Also refers to an enclosed order slip from John Auchinleck, magistrate, to Lieutenant Colclough, chief constable of police, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, requesting ‘a party of police… in one hour or as soon after as possible’. D’Arcy complains the request in question was made ‘to escort that Gentleman at night, from where he had dined, two miles off in the Country’.

20 Dec 1824-14 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/74

Copy of précis of communication with Reverend Meade Dennis, magistrate and Church of Ireland clergyman, Union Hill, Mullingar, County Westmeath, concerning the veto in law on the use of police constables to serve bench warrants for the recovery of tithes, and to provide assistance with other contention seizures. [See also descriptions CSO/RP/SC/1825/48 and CSO/RP/SC/1825/49].

2 Mar 1825-30 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/75

Letter from Francis Despard, magistrate, Killaghy Castle, County Tipperary, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, making reference to an enclosed statement [?by Robin Hare: not present] concerning a recent breach of the peace over which a couple of men were arrested and requesting the determination of the law officers of the crown. Reveals the matter at issue is over a claim to lands by a particular party, who previously came before the marquis of Ormonde [James Wandesford Butler]; he observes Ormonde ordered a dispossession of the property only for the party concerned to have ‘re-entered by force’. He admits to some disagreement between the magistrates but remarks on Ormonde’s determination to impose the full rigour of the law on the offenders ‘to prevent so daring a continuance of the Rock System’.

9 May 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/76

Letter from Francis Despard, magistrate, Killaghy Castle, County Tipperary, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, expressing appreciation over receipt of a half £10 note for the use of the family of Thomas Keane of Gurteen, who was murdered in the month of April. Also makes mention of the response from the Solicitor General [Henry Joy] on the case of Patrick Hart. He also reveals that James Bourke, who made a statement on the outrage, ‘was the sole planer of that nefarious transaction’. [For a further reference to Keane see description CSO/RP/SC/1825/69].

8 May 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/77

Letter from Francis Despard, magistrate, Killaghy Castle, County Tipperary, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, enclosing some information received on the case of Patrick Hart [from James Bourke: not present] which he wishes to be set before the Solicitor General [Henry Joy] for consideration. He asks should bail be granted to Hart who is now confined as a prisoner. Also requests that direction be given as to the case of 'Butler' and his family.

4 May 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/78

Letter from Francis Despard, magistrate of County Tipperary, 65 Stephen Street, Dublin, to Lieutenant Colonel Meyrick Shawe, private secretary to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, offering an explanation for his failure to reply to a letter on the subject of his ‘interference’ with the magistrates of the town of Cashel. He also extends his apologies to the Lord Lieutenant for a remark ‘which nothing but an unprovoked attack on character would authorise’.

26 May 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/79

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing an account of expenditure for the police establishment of the city of Limerick for the month ending 30th of April plus a weekly report [neither present]. Concludes ‘I have much satisfaction in reporting the tranquil state of my district’.

9 May 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/80

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, reporting on an investigation into the killing of a man by a police constable at the fair of Kingscourt, County Cavan, on 23rd of May 1825. Encloses copy letter from Oliver Sutherland, chief constable of police, Bailieboro [Bailieborough], County Cavan, relaying details of the incident which saw Arthur Spotten, police constable, discharge a gunshot that killed James Plunkett, who was part of a mob of 200 persons attacking and pursuing the police following an arrest and rescue. Also encloses a copy of the coroner’s inquiry held at Kingscourt with verdict that in the affray Plunkett sustained ‘a Gunshot wound…which passed through his head of which he instantly died’ [compiled by Hugh Fitzpatrick, coroner, Cootehill, County Cavan]. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/9].

25 May 1825-2 Jun 1825

1825