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CSO/RP/SC/1825/81

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, referring to an arson attack on a house in County Fermanagh and stating the police response to the outrage was detailed in a statement from Captain John Joyce, pay clerk of County Fermanagh, which was enclosed in his monthly report. Returns letter from Charles Fauset [Fausett], Lisbofin, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, to William J McCausland, solicitor [board of charitable donations and bequests], 38 Merrion Street, Dublin, describing the circumstances of the burning of a dwelling at Drumcarron [Drumcurren] in County Fermanagh, lately occupied by a pauper named Thomas Drum. He states a reward of 30 guineas is offered for recovery of information which he hopes will lead to the conviction of the perpetrators.

2 Jun 1825-10 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/82

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, drawing attention to concerns expressed by a chief constable in County Tyrone over the difficulties of attending at fairs and markets without the company of a magistrate. Encloses letter from George O’Brien, chief constable of police, Clogher, County Tyrone, expressing his dissatisfaction over the role expected of the constabulary at local fairs or markets and requesting advice. Complains he and his men are often obliged to do duty for an entire day at such events, where sectarian animosities can easily result in the outbreak of a serious riot, without the support or assistance of a local magistrate. In circumstances where suppression of riot is necessary, he highlights the threat to his men from physical violence and use of deadly weapons, and asks what powers can he exercise in their defence.

8 Jun 1825-10 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/83

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, making reference to a report [not present] indicating that peace is prevailing in the city and environs. Stresses, however, the present tranquillity will only continue provided no ‘agitators’ are sent into the country. He expresses unease at the intent communicated at a recent Catholic [Association] meeting held on the 8th of June, and confides ‘I know there are a chosen few here waiting with anxiety for orders, who are ready and willing to adopt violent measures’. Expresses alarm at the state of lawlessness at present manifest in the County Clare. Observes since the withdrawal of Major George Warburton [late superintendent general of police for counties Galway, Clare and Roscommon], crime and insurrectionary disturbances have resumed. Refers to a number of violent incidents and significant destruction of property in the region, much of which, he remarks, can be attributed to a subversive group calling themselves the ‘May Boys’ who openly defy the police. Emphasises the need for a willing and active resident magistrate in the county to help curtail the contagion.

9 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/84

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, relaying monthly reports from the district chief constables of police. Encloses report [marked No 1] from Lieutenant Crossley, chief constable of police, Crumlin, County Antrim, relaying details of an incident of arson committed upon the property of William Gore of Gore Mount, near Glenavy, in the barony of Massereene [on the night of 20th of May], 20 May 1825. Also encloses report [marked No 2] from Captain John McLeod, chief constable and pay clerk of County Tyrone, Omagh, County Tyrone, describing an attack on some Protestants leaving the fair of the town of Omagh and remarking upon the strength of ‘party feeling’ in the vicinity, 1 June 1825. Also encloses report [marked No 3] from Edward Marum, police constable of Ballybay, County Monaghan, conveying on 14th of May a man was ‘severely beaten’ outside the town of Ballybay on market day; and on 21st of May, fair day, two men were violently assaulted about half a mile outside the town, 1 June 1825. Also encloses report [marked No 4] from Lieutenant Henry Ross Lewin, chief constable of police, Ballynure, barony of Belfast Lower, County Antrim, describing the outbreak of riot at the fair of Ballyclare on 24th of May which saw a mob of about 100 persons attack the police; also report a riot at the fair of Roughfort, County Antrim, on 31st of May, during which the police ‘were assailed by all parties with stones’, 3; 4 June 1825. Also encloses report [marked No 5] from JL Raymond, chief constable of police, Killashandra, County Cavan, stating that on the evening of the fair of Ballyhillard [Ballyhilliard] on 28th of May, a Protestant named ‘Moon’ was ambushed and ‘Beaten most unmercifully’, 4 June 1825. Also encloses report [marked No 6] from John Wright, chief constable of police, barony of Banagh, Mountcharles, County Donegal, commenting upon a large unruly assembly in the town of Killybegs, ‘some with flutes, some armed with Guns, and others with Pistols’; also conveys information on a well attended meeting of the Roman Catholic clergy in the town of Donegal, which is he observes, ‘to be continued monthly…in another Part of the County', 4 June 1825. Also encloses report [marked No 7] from David Patton, chief constable of police, Portadown, County Armagh, reflecting on a fatal attack upon Henry McNeese on the night of the fair [22nd of May] about 5 miles from the town of Portadown; he states the murder was linked to a spirit of vengeance that got up following a suit at court by a man who claimed trespass against members of an orange party who regularly met around Crowhill to play ‘Party tunes’, 5 June 1825. Also encloses report [marked No 8] from Captain John Joyce, pay clerk and chief constable of County Fermanagh, Arney Bridge, near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, conveying details of the burning of a dwelling house on the school lands of Enniskillen [Portora Royal School], in the barony of Glenawly [on 30th of May]; also reports the destruction by fire of a house belonging to Reverend Beresford at Doohat [on 2nd of June]; also reports an arson attack on a hut, in which a man and his daughter had sheltered, by a man named ‘Rourk’, 5 June 1825.

20 May 1825-10 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/85

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, enclosing an account of expenditure of the police establishment of Limerick for the month of May plus a record of constabulary duties for the same period [neither present]. Remarks upon the pleasant spirit of civility in the district and the ‘general employment’ of the lower order.

11 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/86

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, enclosing a letter from John Wright, chief constable of police, barony of Banagh, Mountcharles, County Donegal, reporting on the presence of a number of suspicious characters near the town of Killybegs. States that having received notification of the matter, he despatched three mounted police to that vicinity to investigate. He conveys the suspects had already ‘left the country before the arrival of the Police’ and expresses his frustration over ‘Captain Folwell’s refusal to interfere in his magisterial capacity’. He encloses a letter from Arthur Miller, police constable, Killybegs, drawing attention to the appearance of the strangers in the parish of Glen Colum Kiln [Glencolumbkille]. Comments upon their lack of ‘business’ in the area and inclination to switch lodgings from night to night.

11 Jun 1825-17 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/87

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, acknowledging receipt of instructions from government relating to public processions by members of the order of freemasons. Indicates he has despatched copies of the information to the various chief constable of police in his district.

23 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/88

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 his attendance at the fair of Newtowncrommelin, [Ballymena], County Antrim, alongside Nicholas Delacherois Crommelin of Carrowdore Castle, County Down, and George Macartney of Lissanore Castle, County Antrim, both of whom serve as magistrates. Having the company of a detachment of foot and mounted police, he remarks, no disturbance of the peace occurred nor any public display of ‘either Orangemen or Ribbonmen’. Encloses letter from Lieutenant George Wade, chief constable of police, Dungannon, County Tyrone, remarking upon his limited success in curtailing an orange march in the town of Dungannon on the 12th of July, 13 July 1825. Also encloses letter from David Patton, chief constable of police, Portadown, County Armagh, recalling his attempts to publicise the illegality of orange and freemason processions in public. He reports a large procession of orangemen in the district and neighbourhood accompanied with emblems, flags and music. Estimates the town of Portadown was converged upon by some 60 to 80 lodges and about 8,000 men, 13 July 1825. Also encloses letter from Lieutenant Henry Ross Lewin, chief constable of police, Ballynure, barony of Belfast Lower, County Antrim, recalling his unsuccessful exertions in the towns and villages of his barony to prevent orange demonstrations on the 12th of July, 13 July 1825. Also encloses letter from Captain O’Neill, Lurgan, County Armagh, to D’Arcy, reporting on an orange procession in the town ‘with Drums & Fifes’. Observes that orange flags were placed on the church and many of the marchers wore ‘Party Emblems’ as they paraded to the town of Portadown, 19 July 1825.

13 Jul 1825-19 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/89

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, enclosing a copy letter from Somerset Corry, chief constable of police, Ballymoney, County Antrim, registering his dissatisfaction at the conduct of James Allen, magistrate, Lisconnan, Dervock, County Antrim, who publicly abused the constabulary at the fair of Dervock. Also Includes a copy order issued by Allen extending permission for a walk of the freemason's order to take place on St John’s Day; plus other papers concerning the procession which was deemed illegal by law.

23 Jun 1825-20 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/90

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reporting on an arson attack on an out office belonging to William Butler in the south liberties of the city of Limerick. States the whole building was destroyed together with ‘a few Barrels of Potatoes’. The only motive he can detect for the crime, he remarks, is that Butler acts as a tithe proctor. He encloses a newspaper clipping headed ‘Catholic Aggregate Meeting’ which provides details of the resolutions adopted by the Catholic Association in that quarter; states the meeting was held in St Michael’s Chapel, Limerick, and the chairman was William Roche.

22 Jun 1825-24 Jun 1825

1825