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CSO/RP/1825/1061

Letter from Daniel Donovan, Chapel Street, Bandon, County Cork, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, requesting appointment to a situation in the police establishment of Ireland. Describes himself as ‘an honest, sober well conducted young man’ but at this stage of life is ‘divested of friends and fortune’. Emphasises his fitness to hold such a position and confirms he can acquire respectable local testimonies of his good character.

29 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1062

File of papers relating to the claim of Philip Ryan of Nenagh, County Tipperary, for a reward for his services as crown prosecutor and witness. Includes certificate from the magistrates of Nenagh, County Tipperary, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, in support of the loyal character of Philip Ryan, whom they recommend for a situation under government. Annexes to base a list of persons whom Ryan has played an instrumental part in bringing to justice. The individuals mentioned are John Flanagan, Thomas Flanagan, Patrick Flanagan and Thomas Murphy, who were apprehended on a charge of robbery at Ballyvally, County Clare; also John Flannery, Michael Mack and John Hayden, who were convicted of sheep stealing and sentenced to transportation. Signed by Peter Holmes and 9 other magistrates, 10 April 1822. Also includes letter from Ryan, Nenagh, to Goulburn, referring to previous memorials forwarded to government seeking recompense for services. Emphasises the extent of his exertions against the lawless and disaffected [having pursued and assisted with the prosecution of various persons for murder, theft, administering unlawful oaths and producing forged coin] and requests to know how he is to be compensated, 25 August 1825. Also includes resolutions of a number of inhabitants of Silvermines, County Tipperary, seeking sanction of the Lord Lieutenant for the formation of an armed association ‘to protect the Neighbourhood’ under the command of John Bayly of Debsborough; signed by Bayly and 33 local members of the cavalry, 7 April 1822.

7 Apr 1822-25 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1063

Petition of Hanah Sweeney, widow, Corlave, parish of Drumkeeran, County Fermanagh, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, complaining of a personal assault and injury caused by a number of policemen and seeking a formal court enquiry. Claims on 15 August 1825 she was accosted in her dwelling ‘by a Party of armed Police Constables’ who claimed to be in process of serving a summons; states as they appeared to be intoxicated she resisted their admission until finally the door was broken down; having failed to find the person they were seeking one of their number, she alleges, ‘cocked his musket’ in her direction and ‘snapped the same’. She was subsequently dragged outside, her house searched, at which time she states they ‘broke and destroyed her furniture’. Protests she was later subjected to handcuffing, which caused a dislocation of her arm. Alleges the police raid was carried out with the approval of Reverend John Richardson, rector of Drumkeeran, who resides at Kesh, County Fermanagh. Her attempts to procure from him redress or assistance failed. [Contains list of names not given in this description.]

27 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1064

Letter from Thomas Philip Vokes, police magistrate, Limerick, County Limerick, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, recommending payment of £10 to crown witness Mary Sexton of County Limerick to aid her removal overseas. Remarks as she acted in support of the crown against Patrick Kirby, who was charged with the murder of [Edward] Hurst, she is ‘looked upon as odious’ and cannot get local employment. Returns memorial from Sexton, spinster, Pallaskenry, County Limerick, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, requesting issue of a measure of financial aid to facilitate her departure from home as she is ‘in extreme want’. Observes she was ‘a Principle witness’ in the case against Kirby and others but is now subject to local ostracisation.

c24 Aug 1825-27 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1065

Letter from John Graves and Peter Low, chief magistrates, head office of police, Dublin, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, enclosing copy letter from Joseph Gabbett, police magistrate of 4th Divisional Office, College Street, Dublin, requesting leave of absence for a fortnight. To facilitate his intended break from duty, Gabbett observes, Sir Garret Neville, police magistrate, is expected to return from England ‘in a few days’.

26 Aug 1825-27 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1066

File of papers relating to the proposed disposal of property on Palace Street, Dublin, by the commissioners of Board of Works. Includes letter from Lieutenant General Quin John Freeman, Henry Singleton and Robert Gregory, commissioners of Board of Works, Dublin, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, stating they have placed the oversight of the property on Palace Street with the architect and inspector of civil buildings, until instructions are issued as to the disposal or appropriation of the holding. Refers to some outstanding financial issues concerning the property and queries if it is not taken again by the Commissariat Department ‘or applied to other public purposes’ might it be advisable to proceed ‘with a view to getting rid of the premises altogether’, 18 August 1825. Also letter from Francis Johnston, architect and inspector of civil buildings, Architect's Office, Dublin Castle, to Robert Robinson, assistant secretary, Board of Works, recommending the reestablishment of the commissariat establishment at Palace Street as a more viable option than placing that premises on the market. Observes through this means the ‘splendid Concerns’ on Upper Merrion Street, presently utilised as office space by the commissariat, might be vacated and subsequently disposed of at an attractive price, 12 October 1825. Also letter from the commissioners of Board of Works to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reflecting it will be necessary to ‘make a regular transfer’ of the property at Palace Street and also that at Upper Merrion Street, following the government’s final determination on the matter, 14 October 1825.

18 Aug 1825-14 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1067

Letter from Dr Edward Trevor, [supervisor of convict transportation, Cove, County Cork], Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, dismissing an application for reward from a group of fishermen from the town of Kingstown [Dunleary; Dún Laoghaire], County Dublin, who claim to have assisted in extinguishing a fire on board the convict hulk [ship] ‘Essex’. Speculates the intent of ‘men of such character’ coming on board was ‘to facilitate the escape of the Prisoners’ should opportunity allow, 30 August 1825. Encloses memorial from 7 fishermen of Kingstown to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, seeking remuneration for their labour ‘in putting out the flames’ on the hulk on the night of 4 August, 8 August 1825. Also encloses a copy letter from Lieutenant William Hutchison, harbour master of Kingstown, to Trevor, calling into doubt the claims of the boatmen. Reflects ‘if any of those men can prove that they were called out of their beds by the Police or any other persons of responsibility’ then a claim might be entertained, otherwise they should be reminded the alarm bell is solely for those officers ‘in his Majesty’s pay’, 19 August 1825. Also encloses a copy memorial from the fishermen and inhabitants of Kingstown seeking remuneration for aid rendered in quelling the blaze on the hulk; with names of 18 persons affixed, verified by Lieutenant W Corker, plus attestation added for attendance of 14 men by John Covy [Covey], police constable of Kingstown, [nd]. Also copy letter from Robert Gilbert, keeper of the ‘Essex’, to Trevor, observing he finds Hutchison’s comments on the matter ‘rather strange’ given he was not present at the scene of the fire. Remarks also those making application for remuneration in bringing the fire under control ‘have not stated facts’, 24 August 1825. Returns copy letter from Captain Richard Toucher, Kingstown, to Trevor, describing the assistance given by him on board the burning vessel. Indicates he saw ‘a number of people crowded on board’ whose presence he regards as largely unnecessary, 24 August 1825. [See also description CSO/RP/1825/906].

8 Aug 1825-24 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1068

File of material relating to an investigation of a complaint against the police by Martin Jordan of Claremorris, in County Mayo. Includes letter from Major George Warburton, inspector general of police for Connaught, Ballinasloe, County Galway, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on a complaint against the police by Jordan. Forwards a number of enclosures [marked numbers 1 to 6] and states opinion that the police officers charged by Jordan with oppression are generally ‘well conducted’ men, 21 August 1825. Also includes letter [marked number 1] from Jordan, Kilnock [Kilknock], County Mayo, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, complaining of the behaviour of four police constables while acting as assistants to the sheriff’s bailiff in the barony of Clanmorris. Alleges the constables made a visit to his holding in the townland of Clare while under the influence of alcohol, and being refused dinner, proceeded to abuse his weak sighted brother and other workmen; claims one of the constables dismissed his brother as ‘a blind vagabond’ and they appeared ready to make use of their weapons. He observes the police party went the following day to the barony of Costello, and here they acted without restraint in levying their fines. Protests also at the behaviour of Henry Waldron, magistrate of Balla, whom, he alleges, has subjected the community to unfair financial demands and has shown partiality in favour of the police. Asks for an investigation of both the police and Waldron, 9 May 1825. Also encloses proceedings of an investigation into the allegations made by Jordan at the petty sessions of Claremorris [marked number 4] with extensive detail of the charges brought and statements from a number of the key witnesses; with certificate attached to base from Reverend Joseph D’Arcy Sirr, Church of Ireland rector of Kilcolman, County Mayo, affirming the good conduct of Sergeant Adam Johnston [or Johnson] and the police based at Claremorris, 1 June; 10 August 1825.

19 May 1825-17 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1069

Petition of Patrick Walsh, Donaghadee, County Down, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, seeking a situation of employment under government. Recalls he laboured for a period of 14 years at Hoath [Howth], County Dublin, where on account of an accident to his leg he ‘had the misfortune of having it amputated’. Because of his loss, he acknowledges, the Lord Lieutenant [while one of the commissioners of Howth harbour] granted him £5 in compensation. Points out he has been employed for almost 5 years in quarrying stone for the harbour of Donaghadee, and seeks the assistance of government in securing his future livelihood.

3 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1070

Letter from Daniel Harnett, Charleville, County Cork, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing a memorial to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, seeking appointment to a situation as constable or sub constable in the police establishment of Ireland. Claims to have fell into financial hardship on account of a failed investment undertaken in association with Mr Rooney, merchant of County Limerick, in 1820; states they were jointly liable for a bond of £4,000 to government, but following Rooney’s failure in business a debt of £1,400 remains to be discharged. In order to meet this debt, he complains, his own land holdings in counties Limerick and Kerry [valued at £400 per annum], have been confiscated on the authority of William Kemmis, crown solicitor. On this basis, he appeals for a post of employment ‘to save him from ruin and starvation’.

7 Sep 1825

1825