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From: Alison Causton <>
Subject: [NIR-DOWN] Newry Telegraph: News - Newry Quarter Sessions - SURNAMES indexed - 18 Jan 1828
Date: Wed, 04 Dec 2002 07:14:51 -0500


SOURCE: Newry Commercial Telegraph: News - Newry Quarter Sessions -
SURNAMES indexed - Issue dated 18 January 1828:

BURNS, CAMPBELL, CAMPBELL, CAMPBELL, CAMPBELL, CAMPBELL, HAMILTON, KEAN,
M¹BURNEY, M¹GUIRE, M¹GUIRE, M¹KEOWN, RODDY, STEENSON

========================================
The following newspaper article was transcribed from
the Newry Commercial Telegraph (microfilm), by permission
of The British Library.
========================================

NEWRY PETTY SESSIONS.
Formidable Gang of Pickpockets detected.
On Friday last, Patrick and Elenor M¹Guire,
John Burns of Dundalk, Margaret and Mary
Campbell of Sligo, Michael Roddy of Donegal,
Thomas Steenson of Dublin, Wm. M¹Burney,
Wm. Campbell, Anne Campbell, Mary Steenson
and Anne Hamilton, all of Armagh, appeared at
the bar in custody of the Police. It appeared that
the prisoners, who are co-partners in the above
flourishing trade, being on their way to attend
Banbridge Fair, held on the 12th inst. arrived in
Newry on the evening of the 9th, where they
took up their lodgings. Fancying, however, that
the following day (being the market of this town)
might, probably, afford them an opportunity of
defraying the expenses of so weighty a company,
they resolved to avail themselves of it. Accord-
dingly, they busily engaged themselves in the dif-
ferent markets until, unfortunately, Mr. Patrick
M¹Guire was detected in the act of picking the
pocket of a respectable farmer, from Lisraw,
named Patrick M¹Keown, while occupied in the
pig market. M¹Guire gave an excellent proof
of his proficiency in the light-fingered art by
managing to convey, notwithstanding the imme-
diate alarm given, the sum of £11 17s. 6d. to some
of his companions : he was, however, eventually
lodged, with two of his associates, in the Bride-
well. This circumstance, together with the inces-
sant enquiries of the other prisoners, and the pro-
fuse manner in which they supplied the wants of
their confined brethren, led to the discovery of the
entire gang, who are all committed for trial.
Sporting Extraordinary!
Charles Kean, of Newry, a poor oysterman, having
previously obtained and served a summons on J. M.
C-----, Esq. an Officer in the ----- Regiment of Foot,
presented himself for the purpose of preferring his
complaint, and deposed, on oath, to the following
effect :-- On the night of the 29th Nov. last, he had
proceeded to the barracks, as usual, with oysters‹
where he met Mr. C----- and J. T-----, Esq. another
Officer of the same Regiment ; who, after addressing
some words to him, instantly knocked his hat off,
and kicked it through the barrack yard ; and also
scattered his oysters. After this, they requested
complainant to accompany them to their apartment,
and open some oysters for them. He did so ; but on
the express condition that he should receive no further
abuse, and from an unwillingness (as the poor fellow
said) ³to disoblige the Gentleman!² When, however,
in the act of opening the oysters, the Gentlemen, as
fast as they could lay hold of the shells, flung them
most unsparingly on complainant ; but, not thinking
this sufficient amusement, they pressed him between
two chairs, and dragged him, in this manner, round
the room‹occasionally forcing the unfortunate
oyster-man to the floor by means exceedingly rough
and unwelcome.‹³ Variety,² it has been long since
observed, ³is charming.² Tired with the above
pastime, the Gentlemen conferred on him a number
of black and blue ³ forget-me-nots²‹alias, kicks ;
but finding that poor Kean¹s strength was nearly exhausted‹and was it any
wonder?‹they
determined
³To keep his spirits up by pouring spirits down.²
For this purpose, they produced a decanter of spirits,
and invited him to refresh himself with a little. This
offer, however, he refused‹earnestly requesting them
not to insist, as he was (to use his own simple, but
emphatic expression) an ³affidavit-man.² All
remonstrance was in vain. ³ An affidavit-man,²
forsooth ! Their hospitable intentions were not, surely,
to be disappointed by such a ³ d‹m¹d² flimsy and
nonsensical excuse. They tied a handkerchief round his
neck tightly, led him by it through the room, and then
filled a goblet with whiskey, which moderate draught
they unceremoniously poured down his throat ; after
which the complainant was but too glad, by drinking
two additional glasses, to get permission to sit in
quiet. Here, however, the entertainments of the evening
did not terminate. Having procured some material, like
grease, they rubbed his face with it, and doubtless, that,
instead of poor Charles Kean, the oyster-man, it must
have been the celebrated Edmund Kean, the tragedian,
they were burnishing in this Othello-like manner. This
was the last act of the extravaganza, and poor Kean was
at length permitted to leave their presence, covered with
many marks of their favour.‹Complainant concluded
the history of his ³ hair breadth escape² by explaining
the progress and failure of an attempt to compromise
the matter, and requesting the interference of the
Magistrates.
The Bench observed that, although a considerable
time had elapsed since the commission of the crime (ac-
counted for, however, by the endeavour to compromise),
yet the assault appeared to them of so very serious a na-
ture, that they did not feel themselves justified in reject-
ing the present application. A warrant was subsequently
granted for the apprehension of the parties implicated.

========================================
This reprint is intended SOLELY for the non-commercial
use of family historians, with the sincere hope that a Lister
may find the content useful. I am not descended from the
person(s) mentioned herein. **Please refer any questions
arising from this article to the general readership of the
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