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CSO/RP/OR/1826/231

File of documents concerning the disturbances which accompanied the recent elections at Tralee, County Kerry and the subsequent investigation into the decision of the high sheriff and others to order the military and police to fire upon a crowd, resulting in fatalities. Includes memorial signed by 51 magistrates, freeholders and gentlemen of County Kerry, to Richard Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, requesting an immediate and impartial investigation into the conduct of the constabulary during the late election and regretting that the investigation has been postponed by the King’s counsel; includes legal opinion of William Plunkett, Attorney General, stating that there are insufficient grounds for such an enquiry. Also letter signed by 24 magistrates, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, seeking an investigation into attempts to extinguish freedom of election which is ‘due to the characters and authority of the most respectable public practitioners’; includes draft reply from government stating that a special investigation is not necessary. Also letter from [?Richard Hare, Viscount] Ennismore, Listowel, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, requesting that an outside commission examine the actions of the high sheriff and magistrates who have been ‘so misrepresented and calumniated in the public papers’; includes annotation stating that this request cannot be agreed to. Also letter from Thomas Fitzgerald, Listowel, to Gregory, advising that an ‘able person of consideration’ conduct the enquiry; noting that he himself was not a witness to the collision between the mob and the army. Also letter from Robert Day, magistrate, Spa, Tralee, to Gregory, providing a personal account of the events surrounding the election whose result was a triumph ‘over the Priests headed by their Bigoted Bishop, and over O’Connell upon his own Dunghill’. Also letters from David Fitzgerald, Tralee, to Gregory and Goulburn, noting that he is acting as agent for the prosecution in the case of The King versus John Hickson the High Sheriff, Maj Edward Mullins and George Rowan for the wilful murder of Eugene and Daniel Sullivan; expressing doubt that the prosecution can be sustained if the Grand and Petty Jurys at the assizes are to be returned by the high sheriff; includes memorandum from Plunkett, advising that it is not necessary to supersede the high sheriff under the present circumstances. Also letters from Richard Willcocks, Inspector General of Police, Tralee, to Gregory, reporting on the relative tranquillity in the town as the elections are concluded and the investigation commences; noting that in his personal opinion the high sheriff ‘acted imprudently in not publically parading the military force which he had in the Court House’ and using fixed bayonets to clear the people. Also letters from Matthew Barrington, Crown Solicitor, Tralee, to Goulburn and Plunkett, noting that the trials have been postponed until the next assizes and that this has been welcomed by the public, prosecutors and accused as it would be impossible to hold an impartial trial at the present time. [Contains list of names not given in this description]

6 Jul 1826-22 Jul 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/232

Letter from Maj James Tandy, Grangebeg, Kilcullen, [County Kildare], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, reporting that five cows belonging to James Heally of Tubber and Richard Powell of Brewershill, both farmers in the neighbourhood of Dunlavin, County Wicklow, have been houghed. Noting that two suspects have been arrested for having threatened Heally for having taken land formerly in their possession.

6 Jul 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/233

Letter signed by eight magistrates assembled at the Petty Sessions at Tipperary, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, requesting additional constables and a chief constable in order to quell the dangerous riots and faction feuds which occur at fairs. Noting that lives were lost at one recent faction fight at Kilfeacle, [County Tipperary]. Stating that they have written on the subject to Richard Willcocks but have yet to receive a reply. Includes annotation from Richard Wellesley, forming the opinion that this is a reasonable request which should be conveyed to Willcocks.

13 Jul 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/234

Letter from Maj James Tandy, Grangebeg, Kilcullen, [County Kildare], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, reporting that his district of County Kildare and the Western Division of Wicklow is in a most tranquil state.

2 Aug 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/235

Letter from E Taylor, Clogheen, [County Tipperary], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, reporting an attack on William Fennell of Rehil and the posting of threatening notices, demanding that he give milk from his dairy to the poor in his neighbourhood. Noting that three men have been arrested on evidence given by a woman but suspecting that the evidence given by her was false as she is of ‘doubtful character’ and wishing to know if they should be granted bail.

15 Aug 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/236

Letter from Maj James Tandy, Grangebeg, Kilcullen, [County Kildare], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, reporting on the state of his district of County Kildare and the Western Division of Wicklow, which is tranquil with the exception of a number of outrages committed in the barony of Talbotstown, [County Wicklow] connected with the letting of lands; adding that there have been no incidents of a political nature.

4 Sep 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/237

Report of Maj James Tandy, resident magistrate, into the state of crime in his district of the Western Division of Wicklow for August 1826. Noting individual cases of crime including robbery, assault, arson, threating notices, malicious damage, possession of stolen goods etc and noting where individuals have been arrested and where they have been lodged. Includes a table showing the numbers of incidents of 20 separate crimes for July and for August noting increases or decreases.

31 Aug 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/238

Letter from Rev John Armstrong, Kilgeffin Glebe, [County Roscommon], to Maj Warburton, stating that an attempt was made to burn the house of John Tims, one of his protestant parishioners and a church warden, while he attended the fair at Frenchpark. Also letter from Capt TS Ireland, Chief Constable, Roscommon, to Warburton, reporting that another attack was made on Tims’ house at Ballicana by a gang of over ten armed banditti demanding a firearm and another attempt was made to set fire to the thatch. Adding that of the two magistrates in the area, one is never at home while the other will not suffer a constable to enter his gate. Noting that three individuals charged with the murder of Mr Burns have been arrested. Also covering letter from George Warburton, Castlegar, [County Galway], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, undertaking to supress these outrages.

22 Sep 1826-25 Sep 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/239

Letter from Maj James Tandy, Grangebeg, Kilcullen, [County Kildare], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, reporting that the houses and outhouses of Miles Caddle and Michael Legro of [Dunboike], barony of Talbotstown, County Wicklow were maliciously burned. Claiming that the men were targeted because they recently took land in the area.

16 Oct 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/240

File of documents arising from a dispute between magistrates of County Tyrone over the necessity of substantially increasing the constabulary force in the county and including annotations from government officials, including Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Richard Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant and William Gregory, Under Secretary, stating that the present force is inadequate and agreeing to an additional 30 constables. Includes memorial signed by eight magistrates assembled at Omagh Court House, to Wellesley, dated 26 September 1826, requesting that the police force of County Tyrone be increased by 60 men. Also letters from [Somerset Lowry Corry, 2nd earl] Belmore, Castle Coole and other addresses, to Gregory and Goulburn, enclosing a resolution signed by 24 magistrates assembled at Omagh, dated 16 November 1826, claiming that an increase in the constabulary force in Tyrone is not necessary and will be a financial burden; acknowledging that as a result of new regulations, limiting the duties of the constabulary, it will be necessary to appoint more common law constables; noting that many of the magistrates were not aware that the subject was to be discussed at the Quarter Sessions meetings; stating that the majority of magistrates have now voted not to increase the force; stating that any augmentation should only be considered with regards to the preservation of the peace and acknowledging that the barony of Omagh may require additional men; hoping to reconcile both sides with the establishment of an enquiry to ascertain the force which is necessary; enclosing a letter of protest against a meeting held on 5 January 1827 which appointed 30 additional constables and including draft reply from Goulburn. Also letters from Thomas D’Arcy, Inspector General of Police, Enniskillen and Belfast, to Goulburn, enclosing a copy of a letter from David Duff, Chief Constable, Omagh, detailing recent outrages which have occurred in the barony of Omagh and concluding that the force needs to be increased by 30 men; responding to assertions from Lord Belmore stating that the force is also insufficient in the barony of Strabane and drawing attention to the size of the county; noting that he has examined and enrolled 30 constables in Omagh on 5 January 1827. Also letter from [Viscount] Corry, enclosing a resolution agreed to at a meeting at Omagh on 19 December 1826, agreeing to an increase of 20 men. Also letters from [Du Pré Alexander, 2nd Earl of] Caledon, Caledon, to Goulburn, noting that he has been requested to convene a meeting of magistrates and later asking that it be postponed to enable all magistrates to submit their opinions; observing that additional constables have been appointed and reiterating that he was opposed to any increase. Also letters from Sir Thomas Staples, Lissan [House], Cookstown, [CountyTyrone], stating that he chaired a meeting held in Omagh on the 26 September 1826, where a vote was taken to increase the force by 60 men; noting that those in favour of the increase are to present a memorial to the Lord Lieutenant and requesting that those opposed to the measure be informed prior to any decision being made; observing that those who support the increase reside in the vicinity of Omagh. Also letters from James Lowry, Somerset, Omagh, to Gregory, enclosing resolutions from two meetings which he chaired in Omagh on the 21 October and 16 Nov 1826, which called for an additional 60 constables; includes resolution agreeing with the resolution of magistrates of County Down, Downpatrick calling for the alteration of the Constabulary Act. Also letter from R Ferguson, The Farm, near Derry, to Goulburn, enclosing a memorial signed by 30 magistrates agreed to at a meeting held on 19 [December 1826], requesting that government do not augment the force beyond the 30 men assigned by Major D’Arcy. Also letters from William Stewart, Killymoore, to Goulburn, claiming that the small number of magistrates who applied for the increase hold very little property in the county and requesting that government take into consideration the heavy burden which would be placed on landed proprietors and consider the resolutions submitted by the Earl of Belmore. [Contains list of names not given in this description]

26 Sep 1826-15 Jan 1827

1827