Search the Catalogue

CSO/RP/SC/1825/631

Letter from Edward Wilson, chief police magistrate of County Tipperary, Thurles, County Tipperary, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting the fair of Holy Cross [Holycross], held on the 24th of September, passed off without significant disruption to the peace. On the occasion, he had the assistance of a ‘strong force’ of constables and aid from the men of the 10th regiment of foot; the appearance of faction violence, he conveys, was largely prevented by his having bound over to the peace the heads of local fighting clans. He also reflects on the recent ‘desperate attempt’ to murder Francis Despard, magistrate of Killaghy Castle, and asks if a deposition on oath is required to substantiate the facts. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/183].

26 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/632

Letter from [Reverend] Thomas Whitney, magistrate, Newpass, Rathowen, County Westmeath, to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, enclosing a statement taken from J Howard, who was attacked and injured and his dwelling and furniture destroyed by fire [not present]. Expresses his abhorrence at those who practice such a ‘System of Hostility’ and contends that combinations can only be defeated by offering a reward and protection to those who prosecute. Convictions, he stresses, are difficult to secure in an environment where fear of retaliation against government informers is commonplace.

26 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/633

Letter from Major George Warburton, inspector general of police for Connaught, Ballinasloe, County Galway, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reflecting on some incidents of arson in County Mayo and advocating the offer of a reward to bring the perpetrators to justice. Returns a letter from Reverend Patrick Grady, Roman Catholic parish priest, parish of Killeadan [Killedan], Keltimagh [Kiltamagh], Swineford [Swinford], County Mayo, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, stating on the night of the 20th of July his out office was ‘maliciously set on fire’ and seeking a reward from government for information on the crime. He also draws attention to an arson attack on a mill owned by John Fierock at Killedan, on the 26th of June, in which case likewise the offender has escaped detection.

5 Sep 1825-29 Sep 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/634

Letter from Reverend John Wright, magistrate and Church of Ireland rector, Killeevan Glebe, Newbliss, County Monaghan, to the Chief Secretary’s Office, Dublin Castle, reporting on an assembly of a large crowd of Roman Catholic in the neighbourhood at Leysborough. He estimates there were about 700 persons present many of whom were ‘strangers’ to the area. Indicates his dismay at the display of ‘party spirit’ represented by the assembly, who ‘abused a few individual’ of the Protestant denomination. A small number were taken into custody by the police and warrants issued, he adds.

1 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/635

Letter from Richard Willcocks, inspector general of police [Munster], Cork, County Cork, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, explaining the circumstances surrounding the police’s refusal to attend in support of the deputy mayor at the fair of the town of Clonmel in County Tipperary. Encloses letter from Mathew Singleton, chief constable of police, Clonmel, County Tipperary, reporting on an outbreak of disorder at the fair and referring to the part taken by the police in subduing the unrest. He admits having refused a request by the deputy mayor to allow the constables to continue in attendance at the fair on grounds it was unsafe to do so and contrary to an order issued by the inspector general [to never act at a fair without the presence of a magistrate], 1 October 1825. Returns letter from William Chaytor, deputy mayor of Clonmel, to Goulburn, expressing his displeasure at the police for returning to barracks on the day of the fair. Appeals for a relaxation of the regulations to enable a more effective suppression of public disorder and to prevent serious assault. The physical presence of individual police constables on such occasions, he remarks, not only acts to curtail the emergence of violent excess but also serves to curb the work of pickpockets and thieves, and other petty crime, 8 September 1825.

8 Sep 1825-3 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/636

Letter from Bernard Ward, Vainstown [House], County Down, to Richard Wellesley, 1st Marquis Wellesley, Lord Lieutenant, Dublin Castle, requesting appointment to the situation of chief constable of police or a similar post under government. States he is well educated and his late father was a clergyman of the Church of Ireland.

6 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/637

Letter from Lieutenant Colonel Wedderburn, military secretary, Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reflecting on an outbreak of disorder in the town of Dungarvan following the seizure of sailors’ trawl nets. Encloses copy letter from Lieutenant W Augustus Stewart, commander, 58th regiment of foot, Dungarvan, County Waterford, reporting on a violent protest in Dungarvan by a large party of sailors over the confiscation of trawl nets by the inspector of fisheries [Richard Dodd]. Two of the principle agitators were brought into police custody and lodged in prison, he observes, after which the entire of the mob of sailors converged upon that place and demanded the release of the two, ‘which demand the Magistrate deemed necessary to comply with’.

5 Oct 1825-6 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/638

Letter from Major George Warburton, inspector general of police for Connaught, [Oatfield House near Aughrim, County Galway], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reflecting on the failure of the postmaster at Ennistymon, County Clare, to act appropriately towards the police in connection with an incident involving a post boy at that place. He concludes in the case in question the sub constable [Henry Mitchell] cannot be deemed liable to blame. Encloses letter from Lieutenant Westropp Peard Watkins, chief constable of police, Ennis, County Clare, referring to a statement from Mitchell and a deposition from the post boy [neither present] on the matter that took place. Mitchell, he notes, was on duty at the barrack when the post boy reported the incident. The postmaster, Fitzgerald, however, failed to report what had occurred to the police as he ‘did not conceive the circumstances of such a serious nature as to mention it’.

6 Oct 1825-7 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/639

Letter from Major George Warburton, inspector general of police for Connaught, [Oatfield House near Aughrim, County Galway], to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting that a magistrate in the vicinity of O’Brien’s Bridge in County Clare ordered the police to disperse a large gathering who had met for ‘the purpose of hurling’. The chief constable [John Read Bindon], he observes, engaged in the duty without the presence of a magistrate and was subsequently ‘assailed by a furious mob’. He indicates advise has been given to the chief constable not to again attempt such an intervention unless ‘accompanied by a magistrate’. Also note from the Attorney General [William Conyngham Plunket], stating the incident in question was most irregular. He states the magistrate in question should be asked to explain his conduct and suggests a circular be distributed to the police indicating the impropriety of interfering with a public assembly without the assistance of a magistrate.

10 Oct 1825-14 Oct 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/640

File of material relating to the investigation of the attempted assassination of Francis Despard, magistrate of Killaghy Castle in County Tipperary. Includes affidavit from Despard explaining he came under attack on the morning of the 20th of September. While proceeding in the direction of his shrubbery, he alleges, a shot was discharged by a person close by with a blunderbuss. One of the bullets, he admits, passed through his outer garment and he subsequently returned fire with a pistol and in process ‘severely wounded’ the intruder, 22 September 1825. Also includes letter from Edward Wilson, chief police magistrate of County Tipperary, Thurles, County Tipperary, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reporting on the progress of the investigation into the attempted murder of Despard, 12 October 1825. [See also descriptions CSO/RP/SC/1825/183 and CSO/RP/SC/1825/631].

21 Sep 1825-12 Oct 1825

1825