In the 1843 RosRoscommon “Outrage Papers” and the hunt for Landlord Slayers amid Famine
Disaster.
Introduction by Mary Lee Dunn
The documents below come from the Outrage Papers at the National Archives of
Ireland, the papers -- often police records -- related to the disturbed state
of the countryside, in this case of 1840s Roscommon. Most of the letters
concern the investigation of the murder of Major Denis Mahon of Strokestown
Park House; one concerns the killing of the Rev. John Lloyd of Aughrim for
which Owen Beirne later was hanged. Both deaths occurred in November 1847 and
some recent scholarship tends to link the two landlord murders.
The earliest letter, a deposition by Godfrey Hogg of Kilglass Parish, concerns
an event in 1843, but it contains a threat made then to Denis Mahon, two years
before he inherited the Mahon estate and four years before his assassination.
The document shows that Mahon was early a controversial figure, which belies
the picture of him given in eulogies delivered by friends and family after his
death.
These documents were uncovered by family historians Michael and Helen Brennan
of New York at the National Archives of Ireland. They were transcribed from the
handwritten originals by Helen Brennan, Mary Lee Dunn, and Seán O'Beirne. They
move forward what we know about the notorious murder cases and shed new light
as well on John McGann, one of the evictees from the crown estates at
Ballykilcline. They also reveal much about police investigations and tactics
conducted in that chaotic time. ________________
Write down, that they hope they serve God: and
write God first; for God defend but God should go
before such villains! Masters, it is proved already
that you are little better than false knaves; and it
will go near to be thought so shortly. How answer
you for yourselves? -- DOGBERRY in Much Ado About Nothing by William
Shakespeare
The “Outrage Papers”
Researched by Helen Beirne Brennan and Michael Brennan
Reference: 57653F/ 57696F69155/59190.
Rec Ju 19, 1848
Constabulary Office Dublin Castle
Roscommon
June 12, 1848
Sir
It is apprehended that a boy named Patk Hunt, at present under care of the
Police Authorities here, who can give material & important evidence in the case
of the late Major Mahon. Mr. Hunt may be induced by his relations to abscond
and I would emphatically support the prudence of placing him in _____ that he
could not be tampered with
I am
Sir
____________
Peter
Transmitted to the County Inspector
_______
Returned to Government
E. Priestly
E Priestly
20 June 1848
18 June 1848
Read and Copied, I have ordered the Witness to proceed on tomorrow the 19th
inst in charge of a sub Constable
______ Stephen Burke
18 June 48 ____
25/48 30832 ll
Roscommon
Country Galway EB
Ballygar 14th Jan 1848
I have to state for the information of the Inspector Genl; that on
Wednesday evening last John, Michl, and Barney Moran came here from the
neighborhood of Strokestown and said they were present on the road when Major
Mahon was shot; and that they knew the assassins.
I wrote to Mr. Derengy RM and DH Kelly Esq who attended here
yesterday and after examining the Father and Son separately, they took their
information against L. Thomas Kearny to be the man who shot him, and three
others who were accomplices. The Magistrates looked on the two Morans as men of
bad character. Mr. Derengy had a previous knowledge of John Moran and he did
not seem to give much credit to what he would say. However the Magistrates
directed me to have them supported and that Mr. Derengy would submit copies of
the information before he would have the accused arrested.
Bernard Cummins
__ Sub Inspector
The Inspector General
Immediate 25/12
County of Roscommon, District of Strokestown
Strokestown 2d January 1848
I have to state in reply to the annexed communication that no
informations have been sworn or depositions taken charging John Magan with
being concerned in the murder of Major Mahon.
Instruction was given to place a sharp disposable man to watch the
movements of John Magan stated to be resident “near Rooskey” and a man named
Cox (no Christian name given) “living near Yard between Longford and
Strokestown” and directions were conveyed not to arrest either of the persons
named, unless they should be guilty of some tangible offence, and in case they
were then to secure them upon that ground rather than on the plea of Murder -
There was no charge against John Magan consequently, not
apprehended.
The instructions relative to John Magan and _____ Cox was issued in a
confidential communication from head Quarters dated 19th November ’47 and
addressed to the Inspector of this County, and from whom I received directions
on the subject.
HW. Blakeney, 1st Sub Inspector
Police Report X
See the annexed
W Miller 3rd Jany ‘48
30-500
a
County of Roscommon
The Information of Godfrey Hogg
to wit of Chu in the County of
Roscommon JP A Magistrate in
for said County
Who being sworn upon the Holy Evangelists Deposeth and saith that on Thursday
the 25th day of May last two outrages as Deponent heard and believes were
perpetrated in the open day light in this vicinity viz the attacking a school
house, and compelling the schoolmistress to abandon the instruction of the
children and also of attacking the House of Mr. Dignan in search of firearms.
Deponent states he heard and believes those two parties were armed, and came
from different parts of this County. Deponent states that being a Magistrate
for the County, and anxious to put a stop to such outrages in their infancy
sought for information which he obtained, and on the following night proceeded
with a party of Constabulary, and succeeded in having two of the principal
perpetrators who attached Dignan’s House taken, and fully identified. That
this Deponent took the confession (or examination) of those two prisoners and
at the last Assizes of Roscommon when they were put on trial they attempted to
prove an alibi; which was completely broken down by the evidence of this
Deponent (in relation to their confession). That in this Deponent’s mind (and
also in the minds of many others as Deponent heard and believes and without the
evidence of this Deponent) the evidence adduced on behalf of the Prosecution
was clear, and conclusive, that notwithstanding the Jury as Deponent heard, and
believes, would not agree. Deponent further states that two of the jurors told
him that nine of them were for finding both prisoners guilty and that three
would consent to find Brislawn guilty provided that the other nine agreed to
acquit the second prisoner Gilluly*, and which Deponent believes to be the
fact. Deponent states that in his hearing Baron Lefroy expressed great
surprise as to the hesitation of the jury in finding a verdict, and in his
observations to them said, “Gentlemen if the evidence in this case is not
sufficient to procure conviction, farewell to the peace of your County which
before many months will be in as bad a state as Tipperary and on your shoulders
be the consequences.” Deponent states that notwithstanding he has heard and
believes, Baron Lefroy granted a motion, admitting the two prisoners to bail
themselves in fifty pounds, and two sureties in twenty five pounds each and
afterwards reduced the bail to ten pounds each for the sureties, that the
consequence was the magistrates were obliged to admit the prisoners to bail,
and Deponent heard and believes that in consequence partly of the observations
made use of by counsel for the prisoners, and relating to the evidence of this
Deponent on that occasion, that the prisoner Brislawn (well knowing the result
of the trial must in a great measure depend on this Deponent’s evidence) as
Deponent has heard and believes has set a conspiracy on foot to assassinate
this Deponent. Deponent states that he holds a farm about fourteen miles from
his residence to which he is obliged to resort constantly, that in the latter
end of July or early in August last this Deponent was cautioned not to go to
said farm late or early and when he did so to return by a different road for
that Brislawn one of said prisoners had several connections along the line of
road and that it was arranged that this Deponent was to be shot about the place
where the late attempt was made on Mr. Irwin’s life, and on account of the
evidence Deponent gave at the trial, Deponent states that on the 28th August
last he attended the Fair of Ballinafad at which this Deponent saw said
Brislawn in company with several other suspicious characters, that this
Deponent was cautioned not to leave said Fair except in company with the
Police, as it was intended to do this Deponent harm by the Brislawn Party.
Deponent states that he has since been frequently cautioned and warned by
several persons one of them a connection of said Brislawn as Deponent heard
that he this Deponent was to be shot, and Deponent states that with the last
week one of Brislawn’s associates as Deponent heard and believes sent word to
this Deponent that he heard Brislawn declare he would die easy if he had Hogg,
(meaning this Deponent) and Major Mahon shot, and further saith that on the
27th , Mr. Crofsley R.M. told Deponent that it was necessary for him to
mind his hours and be cautious, for that I was a “marked man” this information
was intimated to Deponent by Mr. Crofsley at Elphin in presence of Lord Lorton,
and the other Magistrates then assembled to take into consideration the attack
on Mr. Richard Irwin. Deponent states that notwithstanding all this
information and warning, the Deponent thought lightly of the matter, until the
late attempt to assassinate Mr. Irwin, and save carrying arms (until that
occurrence and since then changing his route to his farm) used no other
precaution, as also resorting to it only occasionally to this Deponent’s great
injury. Deponent states that he believes the said Brislawn, and Gilluly, to be
connected with a secret society, and that there cannot be at large more
dangerous characters, and therefore Deponent believes he cannot with safety
attend to his several duties, and occupations while they are at large.
Deponent states that he has heard that several other gentlemen in this County
are marked out for assassination, and further Deponent states and believes if
said Brislawn and Gilluly were arrested it would do much for the preservation
of the peace of this neighborhood.
Sworn and acknowledged before us this 17th day of October 1843.
Godfrey Hogg
Denis Mahon, J.P.
Thomas Conry, J.P.
common court records.
