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CSO/RP/OR/1826/321

Letter from DT Winslow, Chief Constable, Monorhamilton, [County Leitrim], to Maj George Warburton, Inspector General of Police, reporting that a secret society called the ‘Steel Boys’ is in operation around Drumkeerin in his barony; noting that the priest of Drumkeerin parish first informed him of the group; adding that they probably ‘consider themselves an higher order of Ribbonmen’ but that the lowest people are engaged in it. Also covering letter from George Warburton, Castlegar, [County Galway], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, including annotation from Richard Wellesley stating that this society should be dispersed and its members prosecuted.

27 Oct 1826-1 Nov 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/322

Letter from William G Tracy, Chief Constable, Ballinamore, [County Leitrim], to Maj Warburton, Inspector General of Police, forwarding a certificate signed by three magistrates [extant] claiming that the constabulary force in the district is insufficient; adding that the ‘lower order of Roman Catholics’ have formed combinations in order to prevent dealings with protestant traders and continue to post threatening notices and engage in beatings of transgressors. Includes certificate signed by John Lawder, Joseph Johnston and George HC Peyton, magistrates. Also covering letter from George Warburton, Castlegar, [County Galway], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, recommending that the force in the barony of Carrigallen be increased. Includes annotation from Richard Wellesley granting the request.

22 Oct 1826-25 Oct 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/323

Letters from ES Cooper, Markree, [County Sligo], to Maj Warburton, seeking clarification on the duties and powers of constables who are appointed by magistrates when the [manor] courts have neglected to do so and constables appointed by grand juries; adding that the recent government instruction, transmitted through the chief constables of police, concerning the serving of civil warrants ‘has completely paralyzed [the] petty sessions’; arguing that they require the power to whip those convicted of ribbonism and rioting at fairs as at present the perpetrators ‘laugh at the idea of Trial and Imprisonment’. Includes annotation from Richard Wellesley suggesting that Cooper apply to Lord Farnham to present ‘The Flagellant petition to the House of Lords’. Also covering letter from George Warburton, Castlegar, [County Galway], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, believing that the magistrates will never be satisfied with any other assistants [in executing civil warrants] except the constabulary. Includes annotation from Richard Wellesley stating that the ‘insinuations contained in Mr Cooper’s letter ought to be made public – I will not submit to such secret attacks’.

25 Oct 1826-27 Oct 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/324

Letter from Alexander Eagar, Chief Constable, Cloghroe, [County Cork], to Richard Willcocks, Inspector General of Police, reporting on a faction fight between the Hoonahans and the Hanlons to be held at Donoughmore Cross Fair, [County Cork] and the efforts of his constables to quell the riot; noting that the crowd turned on the police and that he was hit with a stone. Also covering letter from Willcocks, Palmerston, [County Dublin], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, noting that the police appear to have acted with firmness and forbearance.

23 Nov 1826-30 Nov 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/325

Letter from George Warburton, Castlegar, [County Galway], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, reporting that a man has been murdered while returning from the market at Loughrea, [County Galway]. Adding that it is suspected that the motive was robbery as the industrious man had sold wheat at the market.

21 Nov 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/326

Letter from M Singleton, Chief Constable, Clonmel, [County Tipperary], to Richard Willcocks, Inspector General of Police, reporting that an arson attack was made on the house of John Foley at Carrickadobbin, near Carrick-on-Suir, [County Tipperary] by a gang of four men; claiming that the motive appears to be revenge as Foley had testified against James Callahan who had earlier robbed him of his pension money; seeking some government assistance for Foley. Also covering letter from Willcocks, Palmerston, [County Dublin], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, including annotation from Richard Wellesley recommending that assistance be granted.

26 Nov 1826-30 Nov 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/327

Letters from TS Ireland, Roscommon, to Maj Warburton, Inspector General of Police, reporting an attack on the house of Andrew Gillooley of Mountcashell, [County Roscommon], a wealthy farmer residing on the estate of Gen Mahon; noting that the gang, consisting of 30 persons, demanded arms but were fended off by the family; adding that a man from Longford has been arrested and that Mr Bodkin, Chief Constable of that county has been alerted to the case; drawing attention to the difficulty in finding a magistrate to hear evidence in the case. Also affidavit of Patrick Spearman of Mountcashell, labourer, sworn before Christopher Davys, justice of the peace, giving an account of the attack and identifying one of the assailants as John McAnally of Mallough, County Longford. Also covering letters from George Warburton, Castlegar, [County Galway], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, observing that there appears to be determined efforts to secure arms in the district and that individuals from County Longford are acting in common to that effect.

30 Nov 1826-4 Dec 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/328

Copy of letter from Maj Gen William Thornton, Armagh, to Lieut Col A Wedderburn, concerning a riot which occurred at Middleton Fair, [County Armagh] at which a catholic out-pensioner was murdered; adding that a party of catholics accompanied by two constables then attempted to apprehend those responsible which lead to further party conflict and a number of men on both sides were wounded; adding that an investigation by magistrates has failed to conclude which party was to blame and that it has been suggested that the contest or riot was prearranged. Also covering letter from Wedderburn, Military Secretary, Royal Hospital, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary.

9 Dec 1826-11 Dec 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/329

Letter from Edward Morgan, Chief Constable, Killenaule, [County Tipperary], to Richard Willcocks, Inspector General of Police, reporting the arrest of James O’Brien and John Cantwell, who are accused of being part of the mob who attacked the house of Jeffrey Connell of Ballingarry; adding that a party of police and military were attacked by a crowd of over 100 persons at Earless Hill; stating that James Nowlan who was with the police has identified some of the assailants and that [William] Hickey has been arrested. Also covering letter from Richard Willcocks, Inspector General of Police, Cashel, to William Gregory, Under Secretary. Also letter from Edward Wilson, Thurles, [County Tipperary], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, also reporting on the attack on the police and military who were returning from the house of Mr Going, magistrate; also reporting that the house of Mr Burke of [?Cromederin] in the barony of [Kilnamanagh] was attacked by a gang demanding arms.

13 Dec 1826-15 Dec 1826

1826

CSO/RP/OR/1826/330

Copy of letter from J Whitaker, Chief Constable, Ballymoat, [County Sligo], to Maj Warburton, Inspector General of Police, reporting that a servant of Thomas Smith of Temple House was accosted by an armed gang of over 50 persons who appear to have been lying in wait of Smith with the intention of shooting him; noting that Smith is under agent to Capt Lester on the estate of Lord Kirkwall and Col Perceval and has recently dispossessed some tenants on the Temple House Estate for non-payment of rent; adding that a new tenant has been forced to quit lands on the estate following an attack. Also covering letter from George Warburton, Castlegar, [County Galway], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary.

21 Dec 1826-25 Dec 1826

1826