News: Nenagh Assizes - 1867, Annfield Fenians

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Ireland Genealogy Projects Archives
Tipperary Index
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File contributed by: Mary Heaphy

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNT NENAGH ASSIZES JULY 1867

FENIANS

At the Nenagh assizes held in July 1867, a number of the Annfield Fenians
were brought to trial.

PATK. LAHY was indicted for treason felony. Miss MARY RYAN 
of Gortkelly deposed that on Shrove Tuesday night, a large 
party came to her house & roused her up. They demanded arms. 
She went downstairs & opened the hall door but did not 
recognise any of the party.  One of the men said, "I am 
CHARLES BOURKE"; he wore a green sash.  He went upstairs & 
took away five guns, two pistols, & one rifle.  He brought 
away her servant boy, PURCELL. PURCELL examined, said he saw 
CHARLES BOURKE PAT. BOURKE, JOHN BOURKE, PAT. LAHY, PAT. 
BUTLER & others go up stairs. JOHN DARMODY was called as a 
Crown witness but refused to give evidence a woman in the 
gallery shouting "Johnny, Johnny, if you say a word I will 
hang myself".  PAT. GRADY examined, corroborated the 
evidence of other witness, admitted on cross examination 
that he instigated PHILIP HAYES to shoot Mr. GORE JONES at 
Lisaroon some time previously, "I fired with Hayes from 
behind a ditch". Hayes is now undergoing 20 years penal 
servitude for the offence.  LAHY was found guilty & 
sentenced to 5 years penal servitude.

JOHN BUTLER of Mount Catherine, was next indicted & pleaded 
not guilty. After a prolonged trial, during which evidence 
was given of incriminating documents found in his 
possession, he was aquitted.