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From: "Cathy Joynt Labath" <>
Subject: [LIMERICK] !! Connaught Journal; March 3, 1823 #2
Date: Thu, 6 Sep 2001 17:57:08 -0500


Connaught Journal
Galway, Ireland
Monday, March 3, 1823
Volume 69 Price 5 Pence

PROVINCIAL INTELLIGENCE
Limerick, Feb. 26-On Friday last Serjeant TORRENS opened the Sessions under
the Insurrection Act at Rathkeale, and closed on Monday. There were
thirty-three for trial, two of whom, named James BLAKE and John MULVIHILL,
were fully convicted, and sent off from thence on Monday for Cork, for
transportation; the latter had in his possession when taken some papers of a
seditious nature. The Learned Serjeant addressed the prisoners at great
length, and was incessant in admonishing those acquitted.

On Saturday morning six Police Constables went with a warrant in search of
cows that were stolen from Mr. Thomas FITZGERALD, of Galbally, in this
county. They proceeded to Kilkenny on the borders of county Cork, when some
of Mr. FITZGERALD's men traced the cows, and found them secreted in the
mountains, and in the act of returning them when they were attacked by a
vast mob of persons amounting to some hundreds. The Police immediately
proceeded to their assistance when a loud shouting commenced, and the mob
in a most furious manner attacked the Police, pelting them with stones. The
Police after the greatest forbearance were obliged to fire in their own
defence. The mob, after rescuing the cattle, still continued to pursue the
Police; one of the ring-leaders, in the act of throwing a stone was shot,
his name was Michael CLANCY. A number of the ruffians crossed a glen and
thought to interrupt the Police who were obliged to retreat to Mitchelstown,
and, on the circumstance being reported to Wm. MASSEY, Esq. of Singdale, who
happened to be at Mitchelstown, he immediately called on a party of the 71st
regiment, and proceeded to the place where the affray occurred, but no trace
of the cattle could be found. Mr. FITZGERALD received a severe blow on the
head with a stone, and his horse, which he was obliged to abandon, was most
barbarously killed with stones. Mr. DOOLAN, Chief Constable, with that
activity for which he is so remarkable, immediately proceeded to Mr.
MASSEY's to inquire into the business, and on Monday morning he and Mr.
MASSEY, accompanied by a party of Police, proceeded to Kilkenny with Mr.
Chas. BENNETT, Coroner, to hold an inquest on the body of CLANCY, when,
after the most minute investigation, it was found that nothing could surpass
the coolness, steadiness, and humane conduct of the Police. The Jury found
the verdict of "Justifiable Homicide." After Mr. DOOLAN was perfectly
satisfied as to the conduct of the Police, he accompanied Mr. FITZGERALD and
some of his men to search all suspected places for the cattle; they did not
return until a late hour at night; and although they traversed all the
Galtree Mountains in that neighbourhood, they returned much fatigued without
succeeding in their object.

On Monday night last, an attack was made on a respectable farmer, named
David O'BRIEN, who lives at Kilcorgriff, within a mile of Shanagolden, by a
party of fellows, who assailed his house, and demanded admittance-which
being refused, they attempted to break open the doors, but did not
succeed-they then broke all the windows and window-sashes, and threatened to
set fire to the house if they did not get admittance; but O'BRIEN's two sons
(who were not to be intimidated by their threats,) kept them out. They fired
two shots into the house, and then made off. Fortunately, none of the
inmates were hurt.


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