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CSO/RP/OR/1828/21

Letter from John Burke, Tintrim, Scarriff, [County Galway], to William Gregory, Under Secretary, reporting on two partisan meetings in his locality which threaten to disrupt the peace. Noting that the first was a meeting to establish a Brunswick Club held in the school house at Mount Shannon and attended by Rev Herbert, magistrate and the second was a meeting at the catholic chapel at Clennish, organised by Rev Patt Sheehy, parish priest, where calls were made for catholics not to have any dealings with Brunswickers. Adding that he is a catholic but has always have civil dealings with his protestant neighbours.

23 Oct 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/22

Letter from Edward Brady, Kielty House, Scariff, [County Galway], to Francis Leveson Gower, Chief Secretary, claiming that his family is faced with intimidation and exclusion on account of his protestantism and stating that if they are not given some protection they will have to quit the country. Noting that it was dictated from altar that no communication was to be held by catholics with protestants and that no tradesmen or labourers will work for him.

5 Nov 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/23

Letter from MH Barry, Nenagh, [County Tipperary], to Col Gossett, Dublin Castle, enclosing a memorial [not extant] to the Lord Lieutenant concerning the magistracy of his area and noting the names of four magistrates who have taken no part in the Brunswick Clubs, namely Lord Dunalley, Richard William Gason, County D’Alton and Rev Dean Holmes. Observing that he could have found 30000 persons to sign his memorial but that that would not be in the interest of maintaining the peace.

9 Nov 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/24

Letter from William Bennis, Ballycorney Mills, [County Clare], to Francis Leveson Gower, Chief Secretary, reporting on a violent robbery and assault on his home by a gang. Adding that he and the constabulary suspect his watchman of being an accomplice to the robbery but that they cannot find proof and that he also suspects individuals named Mitchell of Killaloe of involvement in revenge for not granting them the contract to build a house. Claiming that the magistrates in his area do not ‘understand how to act’ and suggesting that John Barton of Ballycorney, a grandson of Alderman Watson of Limerick be made a magistrate.

21 Nov 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/25

Letter from Francis Lynch Blosse, Hollymount, [County Mayo], to Francis Leveson Gower, Chief Secretary, concerning his efforts to confiscate illegally held firearms in his district. Noting that he has seized a number of gun locks from an itinerant armourer who is employed in refitting old barrels and suggesting that there are nearly a hundred more firearms concealed in his neighbourhood. Believing that a spirit of association is spreading amongst the lower orders, including societies devoted to the Virgin Mary and Saint Francis which have the potential to become politicised. Recommending that a network of paid magistrates be established, a measure which he was formerly opposed to. Includes annotation stating that Blosse is a son in law of Lord Plunkett and is a supporter of Emancipation but that his account tallies with that of [Richard] Griffith, the engineer.

29 Nov 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/26

Letter from H Bevan, magistrate, Camas, Bruff, [County Limerick], probably to Francis Leveson Gower, Chief Secretary, expressing concern at the proposed arrival of Mr Steel of the Catholic Association to Bruff on his tour of agitation; recounting how a young accused man appeared in court wearing a green ribbon and defiantly stated that he was a member of the ‘Glorious Order of Liberators’; seeking advice as to how he should deal with such cases in the future. Includes annotation from Gower stating that legislation is available to deal with both cases and adding that he does ‘not see what the green ribbon has to do with it’.

4 Dec 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/27

Letter from Francis Lynch Blosse, Hollymount, [County Mayo], to Francis Leveson Gower, Chief Secretary, outlining his proposal for dealing with illegal firearms which involves encouraging as many individuals as possible to register their arms and to prepare lists of owners without the involvement of other magistrates. Noting that this is a different approach to that suggested by government but surmising that any sudden moves to seize arms will be counterproductive as it will result in panic and better concealment.

8 Dec 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/28

Letter from Rev [Theodosius] Blakely, Dean of Achonry and Rector of Desertegney, Buncrana, [County Donegal], to Francis Leveson Gower, Chief Secretary, reporting that Mr Rankin and fellow officers of the Revenue Police attended an inaugural meeting of a Brunswick Club in Buncrana. Outlining how his poor district has heretofore been peaceful due in part to the influence of the catholic clergyman, Rev William O’Donnell, who was a lieutenant in the 20th Regiment of Foot during the Peninsular War. Noting that an inflammatory notice for the formation of the club was posted publically and it was suggested that military men who refused to attend would be considered disloyal and would be transferred to regiments abroad.

18 Dec 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/29

Letter from Arthur Browne, Roscommon, to Francis Leveson Gower, Chief Secretary, reporting that a party of armed men attacked several houses at Ballymurray, near Roscommon and took firearms belonging to individuals named Coleman, Purdon and Moore. Regretting that the police have not apprehended any of these nightly disturbers.

19 Dec 1828

1828

CSO/RP/OR/1828/30

Letter from John Bridge, 20 Blessington Street, Dublin, to Francis Leveson Gower, Chief Secretary, drawing attention to his previous memorials to government seeking redress and noting that he is awaiting an answer prior to returning to Aughnacloy, [County Tyrone].

31 Dec 1828

1828