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CSO/RP/1825/1281

Letter from Major Thomas Powell, Corkagh, Rathcoole, County Dublin, inspector general of the Leinster constabulary, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on the investigation of a number of police sub constables, Richard Wilson, William Moulds, both of County Westmeath, and William Harding of the King’s County [County Offaly]. Concludes on account of their behaviour all three men should be dismisses from the police establishment, 23 September 1825. Encloses copy of an investigation of the conduct of Wilson before the petty sessions of Killucan in County Westmeath. Details charges against Wilson which include failure to put up his stirrups while on horseback when ordered so to do by Sergeant Major McGavin [McGovern] at Curristown, of being inattentive to duty, inclined to drink liquor, and quarrelsome over pay, 17 September 1825. Also letter of complaint from Wilson [marked No.1] to the magistrates of County Westmeath, complaining of poor treatment given him by the constabulary and seeking redress. Claims that Mr Alworthy, chief constable of Moate, County Westmeath, engaged him as a household servant rather that in constabulary duties, then, as a punishment, had him transferred to serve under Colonel Daniel Toler Osborne, chief constable of police, at Curristown; he alleges his pay was withheld and salary arrears due his late brother have not been paid by the police establishment. Complains of being separated from his wife and asks to be placed at a convenient barracks by which means he might have her company, [No Date]. Also letter from Wilson to John C Lyons, chief magistrate, Letticetown [Littletown], Mullingar, stating his several grievances against his superior officers in the constabulary, 14 September 1825. Also proceedings of an investigation of the conduct of Wilson by the magistrates with conclusion they find him ‘guilty of disobeying Orders’ and of making charges against Alworthy and Osborne in ‘a spirit of malice’. They dismiss him as ‘totally unfit’ to serve as a police sub constable, 17 September 1825. Also proceedings of an investigation of the conduct of Moulds by the magistrates at Moylisker petty sessions, with conclusion he is to be fined a sum of £5 on account of a charge of drunkenness having been proven. They declare him unfit to act as a police sub constable, 14 September 1825. Also proceedings of an investigation of the conduct of Harding by the magistrates of the petty sessions of Kinnitty, King’s County. They declare him guilty of taking uncertified leave and disobeying orders and state ‘he should not be continued in the Police Establishment’, 20 September 1825.

14 Sep 1825-23 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1282

Letter from Mrs Frances Davidson, 6 Lower Jervis Street, Dublin, to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, requesting her husband, Captain Davidson, be reinstated to his post as ship keeper on the convict hulk [ship] ‘Essex’, lying at Kingstown harbour [Dunleary; Dún Laoghaire], County Dublin. Explains he was removed for being on shore on the night of 15 September 1825, having failed to get sufficient permission for his absence. Stresses, however, at the time he left the ‘Essex’ his salary was in arrears and he did so to try to ‘raise a little money’ to support himself and family, prior to the disembarkation of convict transport vessel for Cove [Cobh] in County Cork. Contends his absence was sanctioned by the governor of the ‘Essex’ and emphasises if not restored to his former position he and his family will face distress and poverty. Also note from Dr Edward Trevor, [supervisor of convict transportation, Cove, County Cork], asking that reference be made to his earlier report on the matter. Suggests the Chief Secretary [Henry Goulburn] might be willing to reemploy Davidson in his former role in the police constabulary.

20 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1283

Letter from George Perkins Bull, 3 Redmond’s Hill, Dublin, to Reverend John Torrens, archdeacon of diocese of Dublin, requesting his interference with government in obtaining a situation of employment. Refers to his incarceration [in the Sheriff’s Prison] at the behest of Reverend John Fitzsimmons, Roman Catholic parish priest of Crebilly, County Antrim, following publication of a defamatory article in his weekly newspaper the ‘Antidote’. He claims to have been ‘an open advocate for the principles of Protestantism & that was more than sufficient to cause me to be put down’. Complains he finds little financial support among the population in general for his business activity and observes ‘my house is now completely deserted’. Recalls his father served the government for a period of 32 years, but was very inadequately compensated for his military service. [See also description CSO/RP/1824/1341].

20 Jun 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1284

Letter from G Fitzgerald, magistrate, chairman of petty sessions, Clonmel, County Tipperary, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, drawing attention to a case of abuse in the collection of county tax [cess] on the townland of Monksgrange in the barony of Iffa and Offa East in County Tipperary. States a complaint was made by John Maher of that place against William Connors, a collector employed under Patrick Keating, high constable of the barony of Iffa and Offa East. Indicates on the property in question an over collection of cess took place and a horse belonging to Maher was seized in lieu of an alleged outstanding tax on 12½ acres. Following a full investigation, however, the magistrates were unable to support a charge of fraud against the collector or high constable. He observes that tracts of land or ‘surplus acres’ in most counties are not included in the Down Survey and these constitute ‘a source of private and illicit emolument to the collectors’. He recommends making a new and accurate survey of Ireland in order to guard against such malpractice.

30 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1285

File of material relating to an application for marquees for use as temporary fever hospitals in the town of Ballinasloe in County Galway. Includes letter from Major General Brooke Young, John Butcher and W Booth, Office of Ordnance, Lower Castle Yard, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, indicating they have a stock of ‘repairable circular tents’ in store at Athlone, County Westmeath, which would serve the purpose in the application referred to. They request in view of the intended use of the tents that full payment be issued to them for the items, 29 August 1825. Also includes letter from Reverend Dr Charles Le Poer Trench, Church of Ireland archdeacon of Ardagh, Mackney, County Galway, to Goulburn, stressing the tents are required by Lord Clancarty [Richard Le Poer Trench] for use in the town of Ballinasloe not Athlone. Also conveys opinion of the medical practitioners of the superiority of marquees over ‘round tents’ and asks that a selection of ‘best’ quality be supplied, 1 September 1825. Also includes letter from Goulburn to Le Poer Trench, remarking that orders have been issued to the store keeper at Athlone to provide the requested tents for use at Ballinasloe, 7 September 1825.

29 Aug 1825-23 Jan 1826

1826

CSO/RP/1825/1286

Letter from Alderman Frederick Darley, John Graves and Peter Low, chief magistrates, head office of police, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, offering their evaluation of the application of Charles Fyans, a former police watchman with the 3rd division of police in Dublin. In view of his bodily condition, they consider him a valid candidate for receipt of a pension of £13 6s 8d under the provisions of the Police Act. Encloses copy letter from Frederick Pemberton, clerk, Rotunda division of police, 8 Henry Street, Dublin, enclosing a memorial from Fyans, 149 James’s Street, Dublin, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, requesting issue of a pension or superannuation allowance. States that while on active duty on 4th May 1825 at Cumberland Lane, he ‘received a most dreadful Beating from a Mob of Butcher’s Boys’ which resulted in severe incapacity and permanent injury. Certificate inscribed on base from Dr James Henthorn, police surgeon, affirming Fyans’ inability to continue work. Also certificate overleaf [attached by seal to petition] from James O'Beirne, surgeon extraordinary to the King, North Cumberland Street, indicating that due to ‘severe injury of the spine & heart’ Fyans is no longer able to continue duties.

11 Aug 1825-15 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1287

Letter from Reverend Thomas Blakeney, Church of Ireland vicar of Roscommon and jail inspector, County Roscommon, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, requesting clarification on the law as it relates to regulation of infringements of the Sabbath day. Complains of a ‘shameful violation of the Sabbath’ by a large crowd of people for the purpose of hurling near the town of Roscommon, and wishes to learn if local police can take effective action. Such activity, he observes, frequently ‘terminates in drinking – in vice and immorality’. Annotation overleaf from the CSO advises that the police may only act under the direction of the magistrate, who himself must calculate how far the event constitutes a breach of the peace.

23 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1288

Letter from Francis Magan, barrister, 20 Usher’s Island, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, seeking elevation to the post of assistant barrister for the King’s County [County Offaly], vacated by the death of Thomas Parsons. States he has accumulated extensive professional experience at the Bar having been a practicing exponent of law since the year 1796. He quotes a section of a letter strongly in his favour from a former chief secretary of Ireland. Also copy reply from Goulburn, stating the Lord Lieutenant following consideration of all applicants does not see fit to offer him the post.

29 Aug 1825-23 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1289

Copy statement from an anonymous writer to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, complaining that Major Croker, magistrate, failed to recognise or take account of evidence [at the petty sessions of Ballyneety, in the barony of Clanwilliam] respecting the rape of a maid on the property of Jeremiah Kenby at Ballyhudane [Ballyhoodane] in County Limerick. Asks that justice be granted and the evidence of the victim be heard in court. Reproduces an affidavit of Honora Sweeny, spinster, Grenane, [Garrane], in the parish of Caherconlist, in which she describes an attack and rape by Daniel Kenby, labourer, on 17 September, near the dwelling of Jeremiah Kenby, her employer.

c17 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/1825/1290

Letter from Francis Johnston, architect and inspector of civil buildings, Architect's Office, Dublin Castle, to Alexander Mangin, clerk, Civil Department, Dublin Castle, dismissing a critique from James Russel on the condition and finish of the building used as the Court for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors [on 48 Abbey Street, Dublin]. Comments upon the layout and design of the court and remarks the furniture was sanctioned by the court commissioner, Peter Burrowes. Invites a visit from the Chief Secretary in person to examine the facility and contends it was designed to be ‘a spacious & convenient Court, without any useless architecture decoration’. Encloses letter from Russel, Capel Street, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, complaining of the ‘very objectionable site of the present courthouse’ and declaring it a most unfitting place for the seat of justice. Offers an extended appraisal of the court and condemns it ‘an insult to the administration of the Law’.

7 Oct 1825-22 Oct 1825

1825