NEWS INDEX

1887 Evictions.

The artical is dated Saturday, April 9, 1887

Eviction on the Martineaux Estate.

(From our Correspondent)

Rathvilly, Tuesday.

To-day Mr. E. L. Jameson, Sub-Sheriff, Carlow, accompanied by force of about thirty police from Carlow, Hacketstown and Rathvilly, under the command of District Inspector Hyde, Proceeded to Knocklishenmore, a distance of about two miles from here, for the purpose of evicting two tenants on the Martineaux property for the non-payment of three and four years rent alleged to be due by them. The landlord is John Philip Martineaux, London; and the agents and solicitors are Messrs. Steward & Kincaid, Dublin. The first house visited was that of Mrs. McKeon, who is a widow having no family. She holds about three acres of land at the yearly rent of£6, her valuation being £5. She owed three years rent (£18), and was unable to pay one year’s rent.

The sub-sheriff, according to instructions from the landlord, allowed her to remain in as caretaker, she having signed and agreement to that effect, consenting to give up possession any time when called on. The whole party then proceeded to the house of Miss Catherine Goss, who owed four year’s rent, and was sued for three and a half year’s rent. She holds twelve acres of very inferior land; valuation 314 10s., and rent £16. The agent wrote stating that he would accept 324 and costs, and give a clear receipt wiping out all arrears. Miss. Goss was, however, unable to give this amount, and proposed to give £10 and a cow, the only property she possessed, and guaranteed to make up the balance inside of ten days.

At this stage a clerk from the office of Steward & Kincaid came on the scene, and it was thought that a settlement was about to be effected and a stay put to the eviction. It unfortunately proved to be the contrary, as he came down to take possession of the lands if the landlord’s claim for £24 and costs was not forthcoming, and as this could not be procured the emergency men were ordered to remove the furniture, three rare looking specimens of this class being employed – two from Carlow (one being of the “skin the Goat” type), and a robust, ruffianly looking lad named Bill Flood from Hacketstown, whose conduct and rough demeanour during the day were universally condemned. The furniture was removed, the door secured, and the three occupants of the house – Miss Goss, her aunt Eliza Goss (80 years old), and her niece, Miss Govainc – left sitting in the yard, homeless.

An effort was made to have them readmitted as caretakers, but the urgent entreaty from all sides evidently seemed to have fallen on deaf ears, and they had to submit to their fate. Great indignation prevails in the neighbourhood against the estate bailiff, Hal Pollard, who, it is stated, is in view of grabbing the farm, and has been the chief instrument in having these evictions carried out. A small crowd of sympathisers assembled to witness the said event, and beyond the witty remarks of spectators, to the chagrin of emergency men, no demonstration or obstruction was experienced by the sheriff in the discharge of his duty.

Source: This item was posted on Facebook County Carlow, Ireland Genealogical Projects (IGP)tm by Cathy Go‎ on May 9 2022

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