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CSO/RP/SC/1825/61

Letter from Francis Despard, magistrate, Killaghy Castle, County Tipperary, to the Solicitor General [Henry Joy], [Dublin], seeking the advice of government concerning subsistence rates paid the Butler family [who are related to crown witnesses]. He notes that since the breadwinners of that connection have been removed [John and Daniel Butler] the remaining family members, comprising a widowed mother and four young children, have been in receipt of an allowance of 10 shillings a week. He conveys the family are dissatisfied with the amount of subsistence provided, given the cost of living, and observes ‘the widow threatens to take the children to beg’. Indicates the overall outcome is intimately connected with circumstances surrounding getting a successful conviction of the Gorman family. Adds in postscript details of the escape of a ’most desperate convict… who made his escape from Cork by Killing the Sentinel and wounding the Guard’ from the custody of the 84th regiment [?quartered near Thurles, County Tipperary].

17 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/62

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, commenting upon his tour of the constabulary in counties Cavan and Fermanagh and intention of going on to County Donegal. Indicates he received information from JL Raymond, chief constable of police, Killashandra, County Cavan, concerning a likely meeting of Ribbonmen in the city of Belfast. Encloses a statement made by Philip Reilly to Raymond providing details of a previous Ribbon gathering in the town of Monaghan, and naming the Ribbon delegates representing a number of Irish counties. Reveals that Reilly derives his information from Michael Kearnan, a native of Tully, County Leitrim, who assured him that a meeting of Ribbonmen was scheduled to take place in the city of Belfast on 25 March. Also letter from D’Arcy to Gregory conveying details of steps taken to prevent the expected covert assembly of Ribbonmen in Belfast. States he had surveillance made of a public house kept by a suspect on Cromac Street, but did not discover any unusual occurrence in that quarter and no apparent assembly of activists. Mentions the assistance given by Mr Ferran, a police magistrate of Belfast, and notes the identification of Grogan in the vicinity and another ‘noted character of the name of London’. [See also description CSO/RP/SC/1825/53].

19 Mar 1825-25 Mar 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/63

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, commenting on the state of the country in the area under his jurisdiction. Encloses a letter from Captain Charles L Kennett, chief constable and pay clerk, Cavan, County Cavan, reporting on an affray at the fair of the town of Killashandra and the stoning of his constabulary. He expresses dissatisfaction at the apathy of the magistrates and their failure to make a full investigation of the outrage which assumed a very nasty character, 1 April 1825. Also encloses report from George O’Brien, chief constable of police, Augher, County Tyrone, conveying the ‘violence of party feeling is very much abated’. Of the incidents worthy of mention, he notes the dismantling of a dwelling house and out offices at Clogher on 27th of March by a group consisting of between 16 and 20 men; their actions, he reasons, were caused by the repossession of the property by the landlord following the ejection of the tenant for failure to pay rent. He also alludes to some cases of attack upon persons in the neighbourhood of Ballygawley, including that of a serious assault upon ‘McKenna’, over which one person is now confined to the gaol of County Armagh, 1 April 1825. Also encloses a letter from William Henry, chief constable of police, barony of Farney, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, conveying details of a ‘malicious burning’ of two out building and animals belonging to George McKenna of the parish of Donomoyne [Donaghmoyne]. Observes he can discover no reason for the attack and doubts if it was motivated by party interests. He also encloses a notice that was placed on the dwelling of Mr Cassidy some nights earlier. It warns the owner not to act in any further prosecutions least his property should meet the same fate as that of Wild Goose Lodge [in County Louth, burned in 1816]. Relays that Cassidy took an active part in legal proceedings against John Lacy, one of those accused of robbed him of £10, and the notice was likely posted by an associate of Lacy, 1 April 1825.

1 Apr 1825-4 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/64

Letter from Francis Despard, magistrate, Killaghy Castle, County Tipperary, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, recommending that government assistance be given to Edmund Butler and his family to aid their removal to America. Observes this man’s brother is a crown witness in the ‘Shea’ case and consequently he cannot find local employment ‘as the Farmers would not venture to engage him’.

5 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/65

Letter from Francis Despard, magistrate, Killaghy Castle, County Tipperary, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, making reference to ‘an unprecedented occurrence’ in the locality over which he has sought the counsel of James Wandesford Butler, 1st marquis of Ormonde, [Kilkenny Castle, County Kilkenny]. Claims to have placed information and documents on the case in the hands of Ormonde, who, he expects, will make a submission before government tomorrow.

7 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/66

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reporting on the state of the country in the area under his jurisdiction. Comments on the relative calm of the country which he attributes to the positive value of the Unlawful Societies [Ireland] Act in suppressing the activities of the Catholic Association. He stresses the benefit of the act and the accompanying reduction in sectarian tensions amongst the people, especially the decline of interest in the success of Pastorini’s prophesy.

9 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/67

Letter from Major Thomas D’Arcy, inspector general of police for the province of Ulster, Belfast, County Antrim, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, enclosing a letter from Lieutenant Dominick Persse, chief constable of police, Ramelton, County Donegal, reporting on the burnings of out offices at Tullynadoll, near Fannett [Fanad], barony of Kilmacrenan, in County Donegal. Concludes the outrage is likely the product of a local dispute involving Reverend Dougherty [parish priest] and his family, and three members of the Sweeny clan. Also encloses a second report from Persse, stating a stock house, property of Captain Babington, was consumed by fire, together with 17 sheep and lambs. He supposes culpability rests with an individual named ‘Gremes’ [a Presbyterian] who departed from that place yesterday for America having been ejected by his landlord, Babington. He notes a brother of the suspect lost a number of sheep in the fire and detects ‘no party concern whatever’ in the incident.

9 Apr 1825-11 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/68

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, enclosing an account of expenditure for the police establishment of the city of Limerick for the month ending 31st of March plus a weekly report [neither present].

13 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/69

Letter from Francis Despard, magistrate, Killaghy Castle, County Tipperary, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, reporting on a violent attack by four men upon Thomas Keane of Gurteen, which later resulted in his death. Remarks upon his investigation of the murder and arrest of a suspect who has been sent for confinement to Clonmel. Also second letter from Despard to Gregory, reflecting on the unpleasant nature of the attack on Keane, who leaves a wife and 9 children unprovided for. Indicates he would like to see a government reward being offered for information on the perpetrators. States his confidence over the apprehension and capture of ‘Noonan’ and observes ‘Tyler and Dooley will leave the Kingdom if in their power’.

15 Apr 1825-16 Apr 1825

1825

CSO/RP/SC/1825/70

Letter from Captain George Drought, head police constable, Limerick, County Limerick, to William Gregory, Under Secretary, Dublin Castle, reporting on the destruction of a house in the city overnight. States the fire was started maliciously ‘the former tenant had been but a few days put out of possession by the sheriff’.

18 Apr 1825

1825