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CSO/RP/1824/1481

Letter from Major Richard Willcocks, Rathkeale, County Limerick, chief magistrate of police for County Limerick, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary, Dublin Castle, suggesting some alterations to the proposed Constabulary Act. Indicates reservations over magistrates filling up police vacancies at quarter sessions, and suggests instead the inspector general should supervise this recruitment. Observes the proposed fine of £5 to be imposed on a chief or regular constable of police for neglect of duty should be taken directly out of salary rather than out of his ‘goods and Chattels’. On the question of police reports, he recommends regular reporting from the chief constable to the inspector general, with matters of greatest importance being communicated to the Chief Secretary. Following the dismissal of a constable, contends if the £20 penalty remains unpaid after a week for non return of arms, the officer in question should be subject to a term of imprisonment. Advises also in disturbed counties the Lord Lieutenant should have authority to appoint an independent police magistrate, who might have the confidence of those inclined to provide information on crime, as agent to the government; he would also be well placed to report on the state of the country. Also suggests proposals to simplify court prosecutions, based on payment of a limited fee to lawyers concerned in cases.

25 Jan 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/1482

Petition of Rowland Willes, Ennis, County Clare, late constable of police, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, 30 St Georges Square West, London, seeking measure of financial support following accident on duty. Recalls on 1 July 1821 while engaged in outdoor circulation of information on criminals, his horse took fright and fell upon his left leg; claims his leg was so severely damaged that ‘immediate amputation was deemed necessary and resorted to’. Indicates he was forced to leave his employment with the police, with whom he had served for almost 6 years under the charge of Major George Warburton, chief magistrate, Ennis.

19 Mar 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/1483

Report of the chief magistrates and divisional justices of the police district of Dublin, Head Office of Police, Dublin, to William H Gregory, Under Secretary of Ireland, Dublin Castle, signed by Alderman Frederick Darley and Thomas Casey and 8 others. Reports that while the ‘system of illegal associations…still continues in existence’ there have been no public riots nor murders over the past year. As to the crimes of highway robbery and burglary, though on the decrease, a number of perpetrators were prosecuted and sentenced. Offences of a more minor nature, however, appear to be on the increase, a trend that correlates to numbers being released from Newgate prison – a place much in need of reform. Suggests that the Constabulary Act be modified to allow divisional magistrates to recognise outstanding duty by constables, and ‘reward for services tending to the conviction of any person for treason or felony’ and provide for compensation for any injury received in course of service. Also annexes ‘An account of the Receipts and Disbursements of the Receiver to the public offices of Police, for one year ending the 5th day of January 1824’, signed by John C Lees, receiver to the public offices, police of Dublin.

27 Jan 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/1484

Petition of Richard Quigly [Quigley], late coal merchant of Dublin, 54 Park Street, near Oxford Street, London, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, Westminster, London, requesting extension of financial means to assist with his return to family in Dublin. Expresses disappointment at failed opportunity to gain a livelihood in London and recalls recent decline of his coal business in Dublin due to bad debts. Refers to distress of family who due to want of capital disposed of the greater part of their possessions, ‘except the beds, on which they lay’; adds he also sold his watch and coat in London, sending the proceeds to his family. Also mentions failure to secure use of the Dublin Theatre for one night, to ‘obtain the benefit of a play’ and expresses hope of return to Dublin to find employment with one of the coal mining companies there. Also letter from Quigly to Sir Charles William Flint, secretary, Irish Office, London, seeking advance of funds to make up total required for his return to Ireland. Also additional letter from Quigly to Goulburn, Portman Square, London, reiterating plea for assistance and enclosing certificate containing several names attesting validity of application.

Apr 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/1485

Letter from Sir James Riddall, clerk of corn exchange, Corn Exchange, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, Westminster, London, seeking personal interview in connection with securing free postage on corn returns within the United Kingdom. Encloses copy letter from John Charles Herries, Treasury Chambers, London, joint secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, to Riddall, declining application for extension of privilege to send returns without payment of postage. Also letter from Riddall to Goulburn, stressing the exemption sought is common practice with his counterparts in England and emphasising its value to ‘the commercial and agricultural interest’ of Ireland; with copy reply on back of letter from Goulburn indicating the request might be considered if a relevant act was passing through Parliament but to present an act solely for that purpose would be ‘quite out of the question’.

17 Jan 1824-19 Feb 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/1486

7 letters from Joseph Radford, 10 Grant’s Row, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, Westminster, London, requesting promotion of his brother Ebenezer Radford, who is employed at Ballymacotter station, County Cork, to situation of chief officer in the water guard of the revenue police service. Refers to various openings on different coastal stations in Ireland that would serve his brother, in particular the post of chief officer at the lighthouse station near Cork harbour. Also letter from Stephen Rumbold Lushington, joint secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, London, to Goulburn, stating that he is unable to comply with Radford’s request for a post as there are ‘no vacancies in the service’.

30 Jan 1824-19 Jun 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/1487

Letter from Alexander Read, 13 York Street, Dublin, surgeon to city of Dublin prisons, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, Westminster, London, requesting consideration of statement of professional duties by the select committee of the House of Commons on taxation of city of Dublin. Encloses statement from Read to the select committee outlining nature and extend of duties at Newgate prison, Richmond bridewell, Smithfield Penitentiary, the city [Four Courts] Marshalsea and the Sheriff’s Prison in Dublin, and extending claim to a salary increase. Contends his work is highly laborious and involves extended travel between institutions; he must provide official reports, make examination of accounts, and routinely deal with patients from the lowest strata of society such as diseased prostitutes. Annexes overleaf under heading ‘Table No.1’ his ‘weekly average of visits to each prison for 1823’; under heading ‘Table No.2’ are persons committed to prisons for the year 1823; under heading ‘Table No.3’ are those receiving treatment, divided as interns and externs; under heading ‘Table No.4’ a breakdown is given of disease category, venereal or surgical; and under heading ‘Table No.5’ is a list of ‘Prisoners inspected before 10 o’clock each morning for trial at sessions or adjournments by the Recorder during 1823’.

29 Apr 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/1488

Letter from Redmond Reade, merchant, Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, Westminster, London, seeking to have butter taken to the port of Waterford over land placed on equal terms as that conveyed by water. Expresses desire that a modification be made to the act of Parliament so to exempt butter being conveyed from towns without water transport from inspection and branding at the weigh house of Waterford city. With copy reply on back of letter from Goulburn stating under the law a distinction is made between butter conveyed to port by land and water carriage, and indicates a disinclination to make any modification to it.

4 Jun 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/1489

Letter from Reverend Richard Ryan, Rathconnell glebe house, Killucan, County Westmeath, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, Westminster, London, reflecting on the income of the Roman Catholic church in Ireland. Observes that government provision of an allowance to the priesthood would require a radical change of attitude, since he claims parishioners believe ‘that no office performed by a priest is of any avail unless paid for’. Also claims that children are been withdrawn from Protestant schools prior to the general enquiry of the education commissioners. Encloses document detailing ‘A Calculation of the Income of the R[oman] Catholic Church of Ireland’. Ryan calculates that Ireland has a population of 6 million Roman Catholics and considers that fees for baptisms, marriages, deaths, confessions and collections come to a total of £6,745,00.0.0.

27 May 1824

1824

CSO/RP/1824/1490

Letter from Isaac Ryall, medical director and oculist to the Lord Lieutenant, National Infirmary for Curing Diseases of the Eye, 5 North Cumberland Street, Dublin, to Henry Goulburn, Chief Secretary of Ireland, Irish Office, Westminster, London, requesting appointment to post of surgeon to the convict ship ‘Essex’ at Kingstown [Dún Laoghaire] harbour. Refers to longstanding naval experience and to having 10 years service as an eye specialist. Indicates a character reference may be obtained from the Bishop of Clogher [Robert Tottenham Ponsonby Loftus].

10 Mar 1824

1824