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CSO/RP/OR/1831/1171

Letter from JR Rose, ensign, 50th Regiment [of Foot], [O'Callaghan's Mills], [County Clare], to the Military Secretary, Dublin, reporting that 60 acres of grassland was ‘turned up’ in the vicinity of Broadford; observing that a large gathering of people were present at the outrage numbering in all about 2000 individuals; adding that many of them were carrying firearms according to police observers.

4 Apr 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1172

Letter from James Reed, Chief Constable, Boyle, [County Roscommon], to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, reporting that a body of men consisting of 50 or so persons turned up about half an acre of potato ground on the townland of Danesfort, the property of Thomas Roycroft; adding the insurgents ‘also broke the windows of five cottages in that neighbourhood’.

24 Apr 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1173

Letter from James [Dendan], Castleconnell, County Limerick, to Sir John Sheppy Ribton, Woodbrook, Bray, County Wicklow, reporting on the rise of the insurrectionary spirit in the county of Limerick; remarking that a large field at Cunagaval [Cunnagavale] was defaced by a mob who made demands to have it let to them at a ‘rent set upon it by themselves’; complaining there ‘is no use to look to the Military or Police’ in the face of the determination of the people and asking for advice. Also letter from James McCormack, parish of Tough [Tuogh], to Ribton, reporting on the death of Hennessy Whellan, Ribton’s agent, who was shot dead in the mountains on his way to the fair of Nenagh [County Tipperary].

24 Apr 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1174

Letter from Maj William Miller, [Inspector General of Police in Munster], Fermoy, [County Cork], to Edward Geoffrey Smith Stanley, Chief Secretary, enclosing letter from Alexander Grant, Chief Constable, Mitchelstown, [County Cork], reporting on the killing of a woman named Rice, who died from wounds inflicted by her husband; stating the homicide took place at Downing on the property of a person named Henley; adding that an inquest in the matter found that ‘wilful murder’ was committed.

31 May 1831-1 Jun 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1175

Five letters from Capt John Roberts, Chief Magistrate, County Clare, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, reporting on outrage and law enforcement; stating he is becoming acquainted with his responsibilities and the geography of the district to which he has taken charge; alluding to the possibility of a general surrender of firearms and applauding the effectiveness of the courts to coerce those engaged in outrage; reporting the arrest of three men charged with murdering some policemen on the 4th of April, and noting the arrest of four others charged with murdering William Blood; also alluding to the successful resolution of a case involving the abduction of a girl from Glendine for the purposes of marriage. Also letter from Roberts to Maj [George] Warburton, [Inspector General of Police in Connaught], reporting on his progress in the abduction case and indicating that some arrests are now made; stressing he is searching for the ‘slightest clue’ in connection with the location of the girl.

15 Jun 1831-27 Jun 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1176

File of documents relating to conviction of persons involved in outrage in County Roscommon; containing case summaries and in depth outlines of trials that came before the courts. Includes letter from Capt George Drought, [chief magistrate of police], Athlone, [County Westmeath], to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, enthusing that ‘every case brought forward this day was a conviction’; enclosing a return showing, for example, that Bryan Egan and Edward Moylan were found guilty of the capital offence of shooting at members of the police constabulary on 2nd of November; that James Govern was found guilty of demanding money and arms on the 25th of May; and that Andrew Warren and Michael Warren were found guilty of administering unlawful oaths and demanding money on 24th of March. Also includes report from Francis Blackburne, [Attorney General of Ireland], Roscommon, to Gosset, applauding the ‘successful’ proceedings that have taken place in Roscommon; expressing satisfaction at the ‘beneficial effects’ of the commission and noting the punishment handed down by the court to certain offenders.

17 Jun 1831-2 Jul 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1177

Letter from Edward Cox, magistrate, Clara Petty Sessions, Clara House, [Kings County or County Offaly], to Edward Geoffrey Smith Stanley, Chief Secretary, enclosing copy affidavit of Eleanor Reddy, spinster, declaring that on the night of the 28th of May she was ravished by one Edward Coyle in the plantation near to Mt Cox’s residence; alleges that Coyle ‘did then and there forcibly and feloniously against her will and consent obtain carnal knowledge of her person’.

1 Jun 1831-15 Jun 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1178

Letter from Hill Wilson Rowan, Chief Magistrate, Ennis, County Clare, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, reporting that the recent commission or court assizes at Gort [County Galway] has had a ‘most salutatory tendency’; alluding to some determinations on firearms and noting that Kelly has been sentenced to be hanged for his part in the murder of Sgt Robinson of the 5th Regiment [of Foot].

29 Jun 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1179

Three letters from Capt John Roberts, Chief Magistrate, Ennistymon, County Clare, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, reporting on outrage and the state of the country; observing the Terry Alts system is losing its grip on the population and many men previously involved in crime are now fleeing to America; remarking that James McDonnell and Mathias Bakey have been apprehended in connection with the murder of five policemen at Tonvahera, [Teervarna] on the 4th of April; also stating that Laurence Halloran was taken to Ennis Gaol for his part in attacking and intimidating Patrick McMahon; also reporting the burning of a stack of turf on the property of John Coghlan at [Ardnakelen]: adding that Coghlan was previously sent a threatening notice and was assaulted by 6 armed men.

10 Jul 1831-26 Jul 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/1180

File of documents concerning the killing of James Reynolds of Mohill in County Leitrim and subsequent investigation. Includes letter from Berry Norris, magistrate, Mohill, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, reporting on the death of Reynolds; remarking the cause of death was likely a blow to the head given by Rev Hughes, Roman Catholic curate, on the 18th of July; noting the priest has ‘absconded’ and friends of the deceased have ‘violently opposed’ having the dead man’s head opened to facilitate a coroner’s examination; observing that military aid would be necessary ‘to protect the coroner’ to enable completion of a full physiological examination. Also includes letter from [J] Browne, Carrick on Shannon, to [Maj] George Warburton, Inspector General of Police [in Connaught], Ballinasloe, [County Galway], explaining the circumstances around the death of Reynolds; indicating the context was a bridal party went to the home of the priest, about a mile outside the town of Mohill, with intention of forcing him to sanctify a marriage arrangement; noting the priest offered a strong resistance to the party and in process administered a fatal blow to the skull of Reynolds who had ‘prostrated himself on his knees’ before Hughes; adding that not one person would come forward with information on the murder.

20 Jul 1831-24 Jul 1831

1831