Bridget and Michael Hennessy, mother and son and Anne Donahoe, were
indicted for stealing thirty-four shillings in an old purse, the property
of Bartholomew Macassy, at Tullow.
Bartholomew Macassy stated that he went to lodge at Hennessy’s on a day
when he received the amount of his pension, when the prisoners threw him
on the bed and took the money out of his pocket; witness was sober; he
slept in the house after he was robbed; the women held him - the man took
the money.
Cross examined by Mr. Bethel - Witness was examined at the
Petty Sessions and the old woman was bailed; witness never said that he
gave the money to one of the ladies as love money. Examined by Mr. Walker
(for B. Hennessy) - Witness did not swear at the Tullow sessions, that he
was so drunk that he could not tell what he lost, nor who took his money.
Marianne Cololough - Heard a noise in the lodging house, and went in and
saw prisoners and the prosecutor all on the bed together; saw some papers
with Anne Donohoe, which she said she would give to prosecutor in the
morning.
Macassy, the prosecutor, when examined at the Petty Sessions
distinctly stated that he was sober when he was robbed; Mr. Bethel said he
thinks the prosecutor possesses a good deal of cunning; but don’t think
him exactly as clear in his intellect as other persons.
Mr. Bethel - I
believe Captain Whelan, when gentlemen retire from military life, they are
generally fond of the ladies? (Laughing). Captain Whelan-I have no doubt
but they are but I do know whether this feeling is always confined to
gentlemen of the military profession - (Much laughter). Mr. Bethel, was
happy that he afforded the gallant captain an opportunity of displaying so
much of his wit at his expense - (Laughing.)
Molly Curran was next
produced as to the character of Bridget Hennessy; witness knew her a long
time to be a struggling honest woman - endeavouring for a heavy charge;
she happened to be at the lodging house when the prosecutor came there;
saw the prisoners also; the prosecutor was making love to Anne Donohoe; He
told her that he thought her the finest pensioners wife that he had ever
seen; she replied that she would not be pestered with such a trawneen ('trawneen',
a thing of little use or importance) of a husband as him - (laughter) -
witness back was turned to them, as their amusement was no delight to her
- (roars of laughter) - she had no curiosity to turn about to see how the
play was going on - (much laughter) - did not hear the prosecutor say that
he lost any money - The jury found the prisoner guilty, Michael Hennessy
and Anne Donohoe, to be transported for 7 years – Hennessy’s mother in
consequence of her extreme old age, his Lordship sentenced to 3 months
imprisonment.
(No author credited)
Foot-note:
MICHAEL HENNESSY
Michael Hennessy was born in County Carlow in
circa 1810. His parents were Andrew and Bridget Hennessy. Michael Hennessy
(or Henesy) was charged, with his mother, of stealing money from a lodger
at a lodging house, run by Bridget, in Tullow. He was convicted at the
Carlow Assizes on Thursday, 26th March, 1829 and was in August 1829,
transported to N.S.W. for seven years. He was sent to Thomas Abel, a
farmer at Wilberforce, N.S.W. to serve his sentence, at the completion of
which he did not return to Ireland. He acquired his own land at Kurrajong
and became a farmer. He married Hannah Sherwood and had eleven children,
ten of whom lived to adulthood. Michael died on 11th April 1859 and is
buried in the RC Cemetery, Kurrajong. I would be interested to learn what
became of Michael’s mother Bridget after imprisonment in Carlow Gaol.
Report of trial at Carlow Assizes was published in the Carlow Morning Post
(above).
Daniel HennesyBorn c. 1820. Married Mary Berney. Was Magistrate in C
]arlow c.
1840’s also cattle breeder and small farmer in Kildare. His sister
Mary Ann married John Warren em. to U.S. in 1906. Daniel had
brothers Michael, Patrick and James. G.H. N.Y.
|
Source: Carlow Past & Present Vol. 1. No 5 1996
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