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CSO/RP/SC/1825/271

Letter from Richard Malone, magistrate, Baronstown, Mullingar, County Westmeath, to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, drawing attention to the state of tension existing in the parishes of Sonna [Sonnagh] and Ballinacargy [Ballynacarrigy] over the removal of curate, [Edward Duffy]. Since no real breach of the peace has occurred, he observes, the magistrates do not feel at liberty to intervene in the matter. Stresses the danger of further disorder and requests direction from government on how to act. Encloses letter from Reverend Michael McCormick, Roman Catholic vicar general, Chapel House, Mullingar, to Malone, complaining of the dire state of lawlessness in Sonna and Ballinacargy and seeking protection and the establishing of peace and order in the neighbourhood. Observes the dismissal of the curate is but a pretext for the revolt, its real origin lies in the more insidious designs of Ribbonism. Indeed, such is the depth of feeling, his family are ‘threatened with murder, and the destruction of their small property; unless they join a mob of combined and confederated Ribbonmen’. The wicked influence of that association, he surmises, is communicated from the capital to the heart of the country along the conduit of the Royal Canal. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/268].

12 Sep 1825-14 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/272

Letter from Daniel Mahony, [police magistrate], Brigade Major of Cork, Kerry and Waterford yeomanry, Killarney, County Kerry, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on the general sense of good order found in counties Cork and Waterford. Comments at length on the prospects for a good harvest in the region, particularly on the progress of the potato crop. Expresses some concern over the ‘unnaturally high’ purchase cost of potatoes at present but does not anticipate ‘any serious scarcity’ due to a general increase in cultivation across the district. Wheat crops, he believes, ‘are remarkably good, & so is the Barley crop’ but oats are somewhat deficient due to late sowing.

6 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/273

Letter from Samuel Maxwell, magistrate, Charleville, County Cork, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on a series of recent attacks by a band of insurgents on the occupiers of the property of Mr Rose of the county of Limerick. He states the incursions took place at a location along the road between Ballyhoura in County Cork, and Ardpatrick in County Limerick, and the targets were the homes of six farmers. In the course of the attack three of the farmers were ‘beat in a most cruel manner’ with the ‘handle of a spade’. They were warned that ‘Captain Rock was still alive’ and arms were demanded; orders were also issued to the farmers not to overcharge for ground let to workmen for growing potatoes. Maxwell comments on the distinctive attire of one of the assailants, who wore ‘a white sash’ and had a ‘white band round his Hat’. In his magisterial capacity, he undertakes to make further inquiry at the petty sessions of Killmallock, County Limerick, on the outrage.

30 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/274

Letter from Edmund Molony, [magistrate], Woodlands, County Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, referring to his earlier complaint against Major Henry Peisley L’Estrange and a number of military men under his command for allegedly obstructing an ejectment on the lands of Cloonoony [Clonony] in King's County [County Offaly]. With a view to validating his case, he requests transmission of some official documentation on the affair so as to present the question 'in a clearer’ manner to government. While acknowledging that L’Estrange’s explanation has been accepted by government, he suggests it ‘must have been couched in qualified terms of excuse’; as to the military staff implicated in the resistance, he is content over their dismissal apart from one man who was treated courteously on account of previous service. [See also descriptions CSO/RP/SC/1825/224 and CSO/RP/SC/1825/233].

27 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/275

Letter from Andrew Mitchell, Parsonstown [Birr], King’s County [County Offaly], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, seeking the determination of government over the application for bail of William Mitchell, a prisoner confined in Birr bridewell on a charge of attacking the residence of Michael Browne at Derrykeel, in the barony of Ballybritt. Indicates that Mitchell has been held in gaol now for almost three weeks on account of a lack of consensus over bail amongst the magistrates of Parsonstown [Hackett and Wethwell] and those of Kinnitty [Colonel Bernard and others]. He states the uncertainty is in large part added to by the recent death of the assistant barrister for the King’s County [Thomas Parsons], who did not record in writing his inclination in favour of granting bail to Mitchell. Encloses copy of a statement of Browne, Derrykeel, parish of Kinnitty, complaining his house was attacked by William Mitchell and 4 others on the 24th of July. His property, he laments, was assailed by a number of intruders ‘armed with spades and shovels’ who subjected him to serious assault and broke the windows of his dwelling. Information sworn before Colonel Thomas Bernard and C L’Estrange, magistrates of King’s County.

24 Jul 1825-25 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/276

Petition of the Roman Catholic inhabitants of the town of Mountmellick, Queen’s County [County Laois; Leix], to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, complaining of the disruption and offence caused by a parade of orangemen in the town on 12th of July. The ‘Banditti’ that assembled under the guise of the orange association, they lament, engaged in ‘playing party tunes and firing shots through the streets’ and at Catholic homes. A particular source of contention is the presence of two orange flags in the town, which the magistrates have taken no action to remove, despite several applications to that effect. They seek the intervention of government in curbing the activities of the orange mob, who are regularly in the streets at night with arms, and in having the offensive flags taken down. Signed by Anthony Duane, parish priest and 86 others. [See also descriptions CSO/RP/SC/1825/18 and CSO/RP/SC/1825/29].

21 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/277

Letter from Rowley Miller, magistrate, Moneymore, County Londonderry, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, requesting advice on how to act with respect to the case of James Fee, an orangemen whom he accuses of throwing a stone at him; he points out that Fee is a deserter from the 17th regiment of foot and is anxious that he does not escape prosecution for the act by being permitted to return to his regiment, from the jail of Londonderry where he is now lodged. Makes reference also to a number of confrontations with orangemen on the 12th of July in Moneymore, and his efforts to have the lodge masters comply with the law [the Unlawful Societies Act]. He further reports he was ‘nearly killed…by the blow of a stone’ flung by ‘a notorious ribbonman’ at a fair [in Moneymore] of on 21st of June; he observes, the perpetrator, James Quin, has been tried and sent to jail for 9 months. In the cases of both Quin and Fee he raises the question over whether bail is set at an adequate level given the seriousness of making an attack on a magistrate of the law. Comments [in postscript] on orange processions in the villages of Magherafelt and Cookestown on the 12th of July and remarks upon the social disturbance of celebrations on the 11th night. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/227].

18 Jul 1825-21 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/278

Letter from Daniel Mahony, [police magistrate], Brigade Major of Cork, Kerry and Waterford yeomanry, Killarney, County Kerry, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, acknowledging a written directive from the Lord Lieutenant calling for the suppression of public procession by the orange order on the 12th of July. States he took immediate steps to have the information circulated to the principle men of the yeomanry in his district. He observes in general ‘there is no disposition amongst any of the yeomanry corps to act in disobedience of the Lord Lieutenant’s orders’.

19 Jul 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/279

Letter from Reverend James Moffett, magistrate, Ballymahon, County Longford, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, requesting the advice of government on the case of John Quinlisk, who was served with a notice to quit the employment of Mr Watson, a flour miller of Abbeyshrule, following an attack on Watson's property on the night of 14th of August. Should it be thought advisable, he undertakes to have a number of suspects apprehended for the crime: largely ‘men of doubtful character’ with a previous association with crime, 22 August 1825. Encloses copy of a statement from Quinlisk, labourer of Abbeyshrule, alleging that he was approached by John and Edward Fitzsimons ‘at or near’ the residence of Patrick McCormick and entreated to join with them in the ribbon fraternity, ‘to fight knee deep or die in orange Blood’. He continues that further pressure to enrol was placed upon him by other members of the Ribbonmen accompanied by various threats should he fail so to do; sworn before Moffett, 20 August 1825. Also encloses copy of the warning notice presented to Watson, in which he is exhorted to dispense of the services of ‘the Munster man’ [Quinlisk] or face the consequences. As to the house [occupied by Quinlisk] he is cautioned to give it up to one of the day labourers, signed by Captain Rock, [no date]. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/269].

20 Aug 1825-22 Aug 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/280

Letter from Daniel Mahony, [police magistrate], Brigade Major of Cork, Kerry and Waterford yeomanry, Killarney, County Kerry, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, remarking on the general state of peace and calm in his jurisdiction. He reflects also on the prudence shown by Richard Willcocks, inspector general of police, in the oversight of the constabulary, and applauds the decision to allow future vacancies to be approved by him. Expresses satisfaction over the recent wet spell which he believes will positively contribute to a fruitful potato harvest: he remarks ‘the crop will be sufficient, tho’ there will be some loss’.

10 Aug 1825

1825