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CSO/RP/OR/1831/978

Letter from Lieut George Despard, Sub-inspector of police, Trim, County Meath, to Col Sir John Harvey, [Inspector General of Police], observing that the atmosphere in the town is marked by a sense of ‘excitement’ on account of the elections; remarking on the military or police protection given to Mr Bligh’s freeholders and stressing their necessity to avert riot; noting an estimate of the votes given to Bligh and Grattan. Also note [addressed to one of the clerks at Dublin Castle] ordering that a letter be sent to the local sheriff in Trim, requesting to know the extent of the force required to keep the peace during the election there; stressing that an immediate reply be required of the sheriff.

9 Aug 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/979

File containing reports and supporting documents relating to outrages and disturbances perpetrated in the counties of Tipperary and Limerick; compiled by Maj William Miller [Inspector General of Police in Munster]. Includes letter from Mr Kelly, Chief Constable, Thurles, County Tipperary, to Miller, stating that three tithe valuators under employment of Rev [David] Cotton of Kilrush came under attack about midday on the 28th of July; remarking that one man, Ryan, was injured with ‘sticks and stones’ and gunshots were fired at another named Dwyer but ‘without effect’. Also includes letter from William John Lawrenson, Chief Constable, Pallas Kenry, [Pallaskenry, County Limerick], to Miller, reporting an attack on two house in the district by a band of eight insurgents in search of arms; remarking that in one of the dwellings, the son of a proprietor named Murphy was beaten, while at the other, Dowes’ house, orders were issued to turn out ‘a stranger’ who was in his employment. Also includes letter from Samuel Forsayeth, Chief Constable, Tipperary, to Miller, reporting the murder of Denis O'Shaughnessy, a tithe valuator working for Rev [Robert C] Armstrong; explaining the incident took place on the townland of Kilpatrick and three men were involved in the attack.

27 Jul 1831-9 Aug 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/980

File containing reports and supporting documents relating to outrages and disturbances perpetrated in the counties of Cork, Tipperary and Waterford; compiled by Maj William Miller [Inspector General of Police in Munster]. Includes letter from Patrick Carroll, Chief Constable, Borrisoleigh, [County Tipperary], to Miller, reporting on the killing of a man named Tierney, whose death was caused by the stab of a bayonet during a faction fight at the fair of Borrisoleigh; stating that a policemen was suspected of inflicting the fatal wound although the evidence does not support that conclusion; remarking that the factions were comprised of about 400 persons ‘at a side’ and fighting started at 11 in the morning and continued until 8 o’clock in the evening; also noting that a great deal of damage was caused to crops in the locality ‘the Rioters in hundreds trampling them’; adding that a man named Bannon died as a result of injuries received at the fair and observing that 30 persons were arrested in connection with the disturbance. Also includes letter from Samuel Croker, Sub-Inspector, Carrickbeg, County Waterford, to Miller, reporting on the circumstances around the death of a Mr Grady; admitting he is unsure whether Grady died as a direct result of a fall from his horse or whether his wounds were caused by some persons on the scene at that time; observing that at present it would be very difficult to make a successful prosecution as the incident took place some considerable time ago; referring to an anonymous letter thought to be written by a man named Lester, a saddler, and emphasising his inclination that the writer be interviewed in hope of procuring further evidence in the matter. Also includes letter from St George Browne, Chief Constable, Ballincollig, [County Cork], to Miller, drawing attention to the posted of a threatening notice on the chapel of Grenagh, allegedly by ‘a person in woman’s cloths’; reproduces copy of notice overleaf warning all against giving aid to Rev William Stopford in the collection of his tithes; signed ‘a Freeman at Large’.

11 Jul 1831-17 Aug 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/981

File containing reports and supporting documents relating to outrages and disturbances perpetrated in the counties of Cork and Tipperary; compiled by Maj William Miller [Inspector General of Police in Munster]. Includes letter from Constable J Armstrong, Killenaule, [County Tipperary], to John Willcocks, Sub-Inspector, County Tipperary, reporting on an investigation of gunshots near the village of Ballingarry; stating it was ascertained the shots were fired by one Richard O’Donnell, a publican, in defence of his property against an attacking party; noting that O’Donnell is a member of the Shanavests, while those who made the attack are called Carravats; adding that the two factions engaged in a fierce riot that lasted until 2 o’clock in the morning, leaving a few in a dangerously wounded state; expressing his expectation that the rivalry between the two parties will continue again tonight. Also includes letter from Westropp B Watkins, Chief Constable, Bandon, [County Cork], to Miller, reporting on the posted of a threatening notice on the chapel of Newcestown warning against payment of tithes by the parishioners of Murragh; remarking upon the reticence of the lower orders in the locality and their general inclination to settle for the demand; enclosing copy of notice warning against settlement of tithe or face consequences of the ‘greatest severity’.

19 Aug 1831-24 Aug 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/982

File containing reports and supporting documents relating to outrages and disturbances perpetrated in the counties of Limerick and Waterford; compiled by Maj William Miller [Inspector General of Police in Munster]. Includes letter from M Fitzpatrick, Chief Constable, Bruff, [County Limerick], to Miller, reporting on an outrage on the property of Denis Cooney of Kilpeacon near Fedamore; stating the attackers broke a window and fired a couple of gunshots; also reporting an attack on the house of Ben Martin of Galbally by a band of men, the third such occurrence over the past number of months. Also includes letter from Samuel Croker, Sub-Inspector, Carrickbeg, [County Waterford], to Miller, reflecting on an attack on the dwelling of a man named Ryan near Fourmilewater; remarking that Ryan drew the ire of the country people by engaging to value tithes for a man called Morrissey in the parish of Mullough [Molough] in County Tipperary; noting the attack was not of such a serious nature but was meant to deter Ryan from continuing in the work of tithe valuator.

24 Aug 1831-29 Aug 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/983

Letter from John Murphy, Sub-Inspector, Head Police Office, Dublin, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, enclosing a copy letter from Samuel Deacon Martin, Chief Constable, Aghafarrell, barony of Uppercross, County Dublin, reporting an arson attack on a clamp of turf belonging to Patrick Healy which was left in the bog; observing the reason behind the outrage appears to be that Healy ‘impounded Cattle belonging to his neighbours a few previously for trespass’ on that part of the Butter Mountain under his control.

9 Aug 1831-10 Aug 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/986

Letter from John Gore Jones, [Stipendiary Magistrate and Chief Magistrate of Police], Eyrecourt, [County Galway], to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, reporting the dead body of Stephen Madden was found floating in the canal near the town of Clonfert [County Galway]; enclosing copy of an inquest with verdict indicating that Madden was murdered ‘by a blow or blows’ administered by a person or persons unknown.

17 Aug 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/991

Letter from [Rev] Luke Gardiner MacDonnell, magistrate, Graig, County Kilkenny, to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, reporting on the opposition that erupted over the burial of a child at the church of Kiltennell, County Carlow; requesting further guidance from the law officers of the crown. Enclosing affidavit of Andrew Williams of the parish of Ullard, alleging that Darby Lannon [Lennon] of Knockbodaly and others acted to prevent the burial of his child at Kiltennell; complaining that upon making their way to the burial ground, he and his relatives, were met by a mob of persons, approximately 150 in number, who violently opposed the interment; stating the reason for the fierce hostility was because his own father, James Williams, had acted to collect tithes for Rev George Alcock, the rector of that parish; complaining that having received police protection with the burial of his child, it’s remains were later disinterred and taken away to an unknown location. Also enclosing affidavit of John Williams, providing a similar account of the transaction; sworn before MacDonnell.

8 Aug 1831-16 Aug 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/992

Letter from Maj William Miller, [Inspector General of Police in Munster], Fermoy, [County Cork], to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, discussing the case of Bradshaw, who is responsible for distraining for tithes in Cullen, County Tipperary, and the ethics of allowing police ‘safeguards’ to those engaged in such business; also letter from Miller to Gosset, discussing on a case-by-case basis the use of police safeguards in County Tipperary; also enclosing a table showing the number of policemen employed as safeguards in Tipperary, with name of officer, name of person in receipt of protection, and source of authority.

19 Aug 1831-30 Aug 1831

1831

CSO/RP/OR/1831/993

Three letters from Walter Molony, Chief Constable, Gort, [County Galway], to Lieutenant Colonel Sir William Gosset, Under Secretary, reporting an attack on the dwellings of Henry Lahiff, a shepherd living near Kiltartan, and upon ‘Carroll’, a wood ranger in the same district; also reporting attacks on herdsmen and private dwellings in County Clare by the Terry Alts; also reporting attacks on four houses at Currenrue [County Clare] and drawing attention to a warning issued to occupants to give up their holdings to the local landlord. Also letter from Molony to [Maj] George Warburton, Inspector General of Police [in Connaught], reporting on the state of the country around Kinvara; asserting that the greater part of outrage on the border with County Clare is carried out by three men, McMahon, Beaky and Grady; noting the arrest of 14 different suspects in the neighbourhood around Ballyteera [Ballyteernau] and Shanaglish; also remarking on the peasantry’s inclination towards ‘getting rid of middlemen and large farms’ and discussing his own alterations to the quota of policemen in the various stations.

2 Sep 1831-23 Sep 1831

1831