The Cork Examiner, 2 March 1863
MILITARY OUTRAGE AT SPIKE ISLAND.
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THE following rather startling facts have been communicated to us by a perfectly reasonable authority. On Friday last, a young man named Ahern, acting for the fresh meat contractor, was supplying meat to a party of the 11th regiment in the barracks of Spike Island, when they attacked him in a most ferocious manner, beating, and cutting him in several places. Not satisfied with these assaults, a cry was raised that they should hang him, and some of them immediatley procured a rope, fastened it to a beam which ran across the store and made a noose at one end. We are informed that this noose was actually three times either round or nearly round the man's neck, but he, being a powerful young fellow, each time succeeded in thrusting it from him. The noise of the struggling and beating attracted attention of some parties outside, who interfered and prevented the perpetration of further injury. Application was subsequently made to the Major commanding, and, after AHERN had indentified six of his assailants, that officer promised that they should be tried by Court-martial. Since then he has changed his opinion upon the point, and states that they must be tried by civil tribunal. It seems curious that a military court should have no power over offences committed by soldiers in barracks. At all events it is hoped that due care may be taken to prevent the repetition of such outrages in future. We understand there is abundant evidence to corroborate the statement of AHERN as to the treatment he has received.
JOURNEY OF THE PRINCESS ALEXANDRA.
   HANOVER, FEB. 28TH.—Her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra arrived here at 2.45 p.m. to-day. Her Royal Highness was accompanied by her parents, Prince Christian, and Princess Louise of Denmark, her brother[s], the Princes Frederick William and Waldemar, and her servitors, the Princess Dagmar and Thyra. Prince Frederick of Hesse and Duke Charles of Schleswig Holstein, Sonderburg, and Glucksburg were also of the party, as well as the British minister at Copenhagen, Mr. Paget. Her Royal Highness was received by the British envoy at Hanover, Mr. Howard. The Princess Alexandra and suite alighted at the Hotel Royal, where they were attended by servants of the Royal Family. A banquet will be given to the august party at the Royal Castle of Herrenhausen at 5 o'clock this evening. Her Royal Highness will depart from Hanover at 1 p.m. to-morrow.
   BERLIN, FEB. 28TH (EVENING).—Prince Albert of Prussia, nephew of the King, will leave this evening for Minden to receive her Royal Highness the Princess Alexandra. Sir Andrew Buchanan, the British Ambassador at Berlin, and Lady Buchanan, will likewise proceed to Minden, and will accompany her Royal Highness to the Belgian frontier.
TO BE LET,
For such Term as may be agreed on,
BY the Trustees of the Will of the late Lieutenant General BURKE, about 104 Acres of Prime Feeding Land at Shanbally (near Monkstown) known as the Mill and College Farms ; also part of the Lands of Barnahely.
   Full particulars can be had from the undersigned, by whom proposals in writing will be received. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN, Solicitor, 62, South Mall.
BIRTHS.
   On the 25th of February, at Laurentinum, Doneraile, the wife of James MacCarthy Morrogh, Esq., of a son.
FRANCIS COUNIHAN V. MAURICE LENIHAN.
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APOLOGY
TO FRANCIS COUNIHAN, ESQ., PROPRIETOR OF
THE MUNSTER NEWS.
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Limerick Reporter Office,        
Limerick, February 273, '63.    
SIR,—Refering to a letter signed “A Constant Reader,” which appeared in the Limerick Reporter and Tipperary Vindicator of the 26th day of September last, grossly and falsely assailing your character, I hereby declare that the aspersions contained therein were utterly unfounded and unwarrantable ; and expressing my great regret for the publication of same, I hereby undertake that henceforward, no imputation of any such description shall be inserted in my journal. In consideration of your foregoing the action of libel now pending at your suit against me, I undertake to pay all costs incurred by you, as also the costs of publication of this apology in the several Newspapers named by you.
                    I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,            
MAURICE LENIHAN.    
CORK HARBOUR—SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
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February 28th, 1863.
   ARRIVED—Cluny, Gibson, Minatitlan, mahogany ; Teresa Maria, Zasperazza, Odessa, wheat ; H. E. Spearing, Rogers, Dametta, cotton seed ; Narayrina, Wilkinson, Cardiff, coals, for Malta, put in leaky ; Witch of the Seas, Robinson, Odessa, maize ; Adler, Konow, Alexandria, wheat ; Hannah, Humphries, Alexandria, wheat ; Crocodile, Pepperell, Alexandria, wheat ; Walsoken, Bulman, Alexandria, wheat ; Syrophenicion, Willis, Sulina ; Julia, Kerr, Ardrossan, pig iron (98 tons), for Seville, put in windbound—omitted yesterday ; Herbert, White Eagle, Sarsfield, Grand Master, Arbitrator, Hebe, Smith, Orion (colliers).
   SAILED—Meredian, Pederson, Dublin, wheat ; Avance, Tellessen, Tralee, wheat ; Mary Ann, Curry, Sligo, maize ; Dorothea, Beain, Cardiff, ballast.
March 1, 1863
   ARRIVED—Andre, Copathich, Odessa, wheat ; Brothers, Morris, Cardiff, iron, for Galatz, windbound ; Danmark, Rollo, Greenock, general, for Ceylon, windbound ; Alice Thompson, Adams, Kustendijie, maize ; Saxony, Renne, Sulina, maize ; Mary Ann, Curry (put back) ; Italo, for Clyde ; Princess Alice, Kerr, New York, hams and bacon in bulk.
   SAILED—Halycyon steamer ; Due Cognate, Lineiz, Bristol, grain ; Baltic, Tergensen, Londonderry, grain.
(By Magnetic Telegraph.)
   ARRIVED—(Wind S. and by W.)—Lucine, New York.
   PUT BACK—Paqueta de Habana, was towed up to a dockyard on Saturday, reported leaky.
   SAILED—Italo, for Greenock.
   WATERFORD THIS DAY—The steamer Norseman (Captain Applebe), arrived here yesterday, with some bulwarks and ships' stores damaged.
QUEENSTOWN
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COOLGUNA HOUSE, to be Let FURNISHED, from the 1st of MAY, for such time as may be agreed on. It contains Drawing Room, Dining Room, with four Bed Rooms and two large Servants' Rooms, Water Closet and Pantries ; also Coach House and Stabling, Vegetable and Fruit Garden and Groom-house, with 11 Acres of Land if required. Application to Major WARREN, Coolguna.
Submitted by dja
The Cork Examiner, 6 March 1863
MISSING.
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A Young Man named MICHAEL MURPHY, has left his situation, in the neighbourhood of Macroom, in the month of June last, leaving no trace of where he meant to go. His Mother is in a most anxious state to find him. He is about 18 years of age, middle stature, and light hair. If any one can give her any information, it will be an act of charity. Her address is, HONORA MURPHY, care of JOHN KING, Mount Massy, Macroom.
PRINCE OF WALES' MARRIAGE.
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JOHN MORGAN SMYTH & CO., respectfully intimate that their Establishment will be CLOSED on TUESDAY, the 10th inst.
WINE VAULTS AND FAMILY TEA STORES,
PATRICK STREET
Submitted by dja
The Cork Examiner, 17 March 1863
CORK HARBOUR—SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.
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March 15, 1863.
   ARRIVED—Rocklight, Hadley, Callao, guano ; Pomona, Anderson, Callao, guano ; Mary, Schierloh, Porto Plata, mahongany ; Sicilian, Lennon, New York, wheat ; Canada steamer, from Halifax and Boston, to Liverpool, and proceeded ; Asia steamer, for New York, from Liverpool, and proceeded.
   PUT BACK (windbound)—Desmond, for Sligo ; Teresa Maria, for Limerick.
   SAILED—Andrea, Captovich, Kingroad, grain ; Fanny Lewis, Mossiman, Liverpool, general ; Richard Irwin, Hall, Glasgow, guano ; Huron, Oakley, Ferrol, coals ; Franciska, Brogen, Stockholm, ballast ; Hebe, Thomas and Ann, Swallow, Helen Scott (in ballast).
March 16, 1863
   ARRIVED—Fanny M'Henry, Smith, Liverpool, general cargo for Philadelphia—put in with rudder damaged.
   OFF PORT—Annetta, Gaseu, Buenos Ayres, bone ashes.
   OFF PORT—Ellen Maria, Hall, Glasgow, guano ; Catherine, Lund, Havre, oil ; Brothers, Crawford, Sligo, grain ; Preciosa, Fernandez, Lisbon, wheat ; Ignio S., Zangerli, Limerick, grain ; Teresa Maria, Limerick, grain ; Desmond, Robinson, Sligo, grain.
(By Magnetic Telegraph.)
   ARRIVED (Wind calm, and fine)—Annetta, Buenos Ayres. 
   OFF PORT—Alma, from Liverpool, for Halifax, filled up with water, and proceeded ; Independence, from St. John's N.B., for Wexford, lost part of deck load.
   The American ship Rocklight, bound to London, in sailing out last evening, got on the Harbour Rock, where she remained till 11.30, p.m., when, with the assistance of a steam tug, she was got off. She is now making much water.
BIRTHS.
   On the 16th inst., at 25, Beach, Queenstown, the wife of Joseph Fitzgerald, of a daughter.
   March 13, at Hawthorn-terrace, Church-road, Dublin, the wife of Edmond J. Langley, Esq., of a daughter.
   March 13, at Sidney Place, the wife of J. M. Good, Esq., of a son.
MARRIAGES.
   On the 12th inst., at French Church, Shannon-street, Bandon, John Christopher Dawson, Esq., J.P., eldest son of John Dawson, Esq., Mountpleasant Cottage, to Catherine Matilda, third daughter of John Fawcett, Esq., Bandon.
DEATHS.
   On the 17th inst., at he residence of his son, 74, Shandon-street, Thos, Kennedy, aged 63 years.
   At Calcutta, on the 5th february last, much and deservedly regretted by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, John Beauchamp, Esq., C.E., only son of the late J. Beauchamp, Esq., of this city.
   March 4, at Foret Montier, Department of the Somme, France, Mary, wife of the Baron De Curnien, and daughter of the late Valentine O'Connor, of Great Denmark-street.
   March 7, at Paris, Winnefred, wife of the Count D'Agoult, and daughter of the late Hugh O'Connor, Esq., of Mountjoy-square.
   March 13, at 112, Drummond-street, Euston-square, London, Mrs. Catherine White, wife of Wm. White, hotel- keeper, late of Abbey-street, Dublin.
   March 13, at John Ville, county Dublin, Elizabeth, wife of Captain Alex. Kennedy, R.N.
   March 15, at the residence of his sister, 61, Mary-street, Dublin, Mr. Michael Carrick, aged 76 years, late of Wellington-quay.
INQUEST
Mr. Bryan Gallwey, coroner, held an inquest this day, at the Bridewell, on the body of Denis Murphy. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased was attached to a lighter, belonging to Mr. Cantillon ; that last night, being much affected by drink, he fell into the river while getting on board the lighter, off Anderson's-quay, and was drowned.— Verdict “Accidental drowning.”
SHERIFF'S COURT—YESTERDAY.
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(Before Mr. JOHNSON, Sub-Sheriff.)
BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.
Mary Ahearn v. Nicholas Hennessy.
THIS case came before the Sub-Sheriff and a jury of ten for the purpose of having damages assessed, the facts being admitted.
   The jury were:—J. W. Dyas, P. Gould, J. Banks, H. Haycroft, W. J. Thorley, D. Crowley, D. L. Stoker, D. Maynard, J. S. Forster, J. T. Clery.
   Mr. W. O'Brien, instructed by Mr. White, solicitor, appeared as counsel for the plaintiff ; and Professor Barry, instructed by Mr. O'Halloran, for the defendant.
   Mr. O'Brien stated the plaintiff's case. He said that the action was brought to recover damages for the breach of a promise of marriage made by the defendant to the plaintiff, but that as the facts of making the promise and its breach had been admitted by the other side, the case at that moment came before the jury merely to have the amount of damages assessed. To do this the tribunal he was addressing was fully empowered by law and their verdict, what ever it might be, would be final. As he had said, there was no controversy as to the facts, but as the amount of damages would mainly depend on the relative position of the parties, and the circumstances under which the promise had been made and broken, he would venture to give a short statement of the case. The plaintiff was a young lady of great accomplishments and high personal attractions, and was only 21 or 22 years of age. She was the eldest daughter of a gentleman now deceased, who had held a small property near Mallow, in this county, and who was much respected during his lifetime. Since his death his widow had married a Mr. Shinnor, who occupied the lands of Clanwilliam, near Charleville, in this county ; and the plaintiff, as well as her other children, resided there with her. The defendant was a neighbour of the plaintiff's. He was the eldest son of Mr. Wm. Ahearn [sic], a gentleman of large means, and at the time he made the promise, had reached the mature age of 36 or 38 years. He resided with his father, who was everywhere looked upon as a person of independent means and good expectations. It appeared that the defendant had not had many opportunities of seeing the plaintiff before he contracted the engagement which he afterwards violated—indeed, he had only seen her once previous, but on that single occasion he was so struck with her appearance and demeanour that he seemed to have made up his mind without any hesitation. The fact of there being such a short acquaintance before the promise of marriage, was one which counsel thought ought to impress the jury very favourably as far as regarded the plaintiff, for it showed that there could not have been on her part the display of any of those innocent little artifices which even the best and most amiable of the sex sometimes use to stimulate the feeling of the cautious admirer (laughter). Mr. Hennessy it appeared wanted no incitement. Without waiting to make an acquaintance of the young lady herself, or to consult her tastes in a matter in which she had a not unimportant interest, he rather unexpectedly commenced his overtures by coming of an evening to her father's house, and making the startling announcement that he wanted a wife (laughter). So sudden was the announcement of his feelings that the plaintiff's family at first treated the matter as a joke, but he soon by his ardour convinced them that he was serious, and after some conversation, in which he gave details of his position and prospects, he was accepted. A day was appointed for the happy event to come off, and the defendant in the meantime was recognised as the accepted suitor of the young lady's hand ; but, unfortunately, when the day came, the man was wanting. The defendant had the marriage postponed, on the ground that he wanted to complete some arrangements, and for a while no objection was made by the plaintiff's family, but then the defendant began to discontinue his visits and it became plain that he was repenting of his engagement. Upon perceiving this, the plaintiff's step-father wrote to the defendant's father informing him of how the matter stood, denouncing the conduct of the defendant as ruffianly and unprincipled, and threatening him with a suit at law and a ducking in the horse pond. Old Mr. Hennessy in reply acknowledged that his son's conduct was improper, but as nothing was done beyond the acknowledgment the plaintiff was forced to bring this action. The damages were laid at £1,000, and counsel had no doubt that when the jury considered that the promise was the act of a man certainly old enough to know what he was doing, and that for the violation of it there was no excuse whatsoever, they would grant the full amount claimed.
   At the conclusion of counsel's statement evidence was gone into.
   Mrs. Elizabeth Shinnor, mother of the plaintiff, deposed that she knew the defendant ; she remembered the 5th August, the occasion on which he first came about her daughter ; his visit was rather unexpected as she had no knowledge of him previously ; he was asked to tea ; in the middle of tea he suddenly started up and said—“I suppose you all know what brought me here. I have been speaking to George (Mr. Shinnor) about it, and as he wont give me any assistance I must speak for myself. I came to get a wife. I don't want any money ;” witness did not say anything, as she considered the declaration rather extraordinary, but the defendant went on, without being asked, to describe his circumstances, stating that he was perfectly independent and free to enter on an engagement ; he was not given any answer at the time, further than that “Mary would suit him very well, as she knew something of farming” (laughter) ; nine or ten days afterwards he returned and made a formal proposal to the plaintiff in the garden ; the engagement was approved by witness and her husband, and was rather widely spoken of ; plaintiff once went with defendant to a flower show at Mallow ; the defendant often spoke of the engagement, and wished to have the marriage take place on the 21st October ; this was agreed to, but in the meantime he came and said the marriage could not take place so soon as he at first thought ; he said when spoken to that the reason of the delay was his wishing to buy the head-rent of his land, which was for sale, before he took a wife ; he said he had £3,000 to buy it with ; he also said that he wanted to get some land that was in his father's possession ; another delay then took place, and he began to discontinue his visits ; an attorney's letter was written to him ; he then ceased to come altogether ; the defendant was a young man of 35 or 36 years of age (laughter) ; he lived with his father, and he told witness that his father made him master of his house.
   Cross-examined by Professor Barry—Could not say that I thought the defendant the greatest fool I ever met in my life (laughter) ; he did not talk as an educated man, but with ordinary intelligence ; I was much amused by his proposal ; we were all so ; he looks a little more than thirty-five I think ; I would not be surprised to hear that he was over forty ; Mr. Shinnor told me he was as old as himself (laughter) ; the young lady is only twenty-two.
   Professor Barry—Oh, why his age is only double hers (laughter).
   Cross-examination continued—The only romantic part took place between the 18th September and the 18th October ; I would not call the defendant a simpleton ; I would say he was rather cute (laughter).
   To Mr. O'Brien—The defendant told me he had consulted his father.
   Mr. Daniel Connellan examined, deposed that he met Mr. Hennesy in the month of October, at Mr. Shinno's [sic], and he appeared to be perfectly competent to manage his own affairs ; he even seemed a little 'cute.
   Miss Frances Ahearn, sister of the plaintiff, deposed to the fact of the 21st October having been fixed for the marriage.
   Mr. Connell, poor-rate collector for the union of Mallow, deposed that in 1862 the rating of part of the property held by the Hennessy family was altered from the name of Timothy Hennessy to Nicholas Hennessy ; it was now again to be altered to the name of Timothy Hennessy.
   To Professor Barry—Nicholas Hennessy paid rates to me as a messenger ; I believe the reason of the change was to get rid of the income-tax under schedule B ; I believe the defendant is a man of shrewdness in a sense of the term.
   To the Jury—I would consider him a safe man to send money by.
   This having closed the case for the plaintiff, Professor Barry proceeded to address the jury for the defence. He reminded them that the sole question they had to determine was what pecuniary loss Miss Hennessy [sic] had sustained by reason of the breach of promise on the part of the defendant. He readily admitted that the violation of a promise of marriage was one of the most serious things which a jury could be called upon to consider, and he believed if the circumstances of the parties between whom such a contract was made were equal and suitable for an union, the amount of damages ought to be measured only by the ability of the defendant to pay them. But he would ask the jury was this a case such as the one he had suggested. It could be said that the young lady's affections had been engaged. Indeed, the declaration of the defendant appeared to be purely the result of spontaneous combustion, as unexpected as it was inexplicable, and there seemed to be very little reciprocity on the part of the plaintiff. The defendant was allowed roam where he wished without enquiry, and during the greater part of the engagement there seemed to be little care on the young lady's mind about him. He was afraid he should say, though it was not complimentary to his client, that the young lady was very little taken with her suitor (laughter), and what was more, he was afraid she could not be blamed for it. The defendant seemed to have had very little sense, or personal attractions—he was not quite a young man—and upon the whole, he (counsel) thought the jury might safely felicitate the plaintiff on her escape. To think, therefore, that any injury had been inflicted on the young lady by this breach of promise was ridiculous. It was plain that the engagement was a matter of money all through, and now when it was shown that the defendant had as little money as sense, he thought the jury would say that the smallest coin in the realm would satisfy the justice of the case.
   The following evidence was then given.
   Mr. Henry Mannix said he knew the defendant for the last forty years ; the defendant had no property whatever, and was a person of weak intellect, having an unhappy facility of falling in love (laughter).
   Witness was then cross-examined at some length by Mr. O'Brien as to the defendant's position and prospects.
   Mr. William Hennessy, father of the defendant, deposed that his son was 42 years of age, and had no property whatever of his own ; he was not a strong minded young man, and a word he said could not be believed ; some matters of business were confided to him, but he only did mischief.
   Cross examined by Mr. O'Brien—I never ordered the change in the rating ; Mr. O'Connell has explained the reason of the first change.
   Timothy Hennessy, uncle to the defendant, gave evidence as to the state of his nephew's intellect and position similar to that of the previous witnesses. He did not consider him capable of managing any serious affairs.
   One of the jury—Do you include matrimony in that (laughter).
   Witness—Well, I would. The defendant had no title whatever to the land for which his name appears in the rate book, on account of his conduct he is not likely to succeed his father ; when I speak of his conduct I don't mean in this matter alone, but other actions have been threatened.
   This closed the evidence for the defence.
   Mr. O'Brien having summed up the case for the plaintiff, the Sub-Sheriff charged the jury.
   They found for the plaintiff £200 damages and 6d. costs.
TO BE LET.
OR the INTEREST SOLD, the FARM known as BEECHMOUNT otherwise DYSART, with a term of 999 Years, containing Seventy Nine Acres, with DWELLING HOUSE and OUT-OFFICES, and a Walled in Kitchen Garden, situate near Dripsey Castle, Half-way between Cork and Macroom. For further particulars, apply to THOMAS BATTIN, on the Lands.
CORK UNION.
THE Voting Papers, for the Election of Guardians, will be issued on to-morrow, the 18th inst., and on Thursday, the 19th ; the Papers will be called for on the 20th and 21st. The following Electoral Divisions will have contests :—Coherlag [sic],—The candidates are Mr. Thomas Donovan, of Sun-lodge, and Mr. Thomas Dwyer Lambert, of Cork.
Submitted by dja
The Cork Examiner, 24 March 1863
CORK SPRING ASSIZES
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COUNTY COURT—SATURDAY.
(Before the CHIEF BARON.)
THROUGH inadvertance the following portion of the business in this court was omitted from our report of last night. In justice to Mr. Wallis we now publish it.
   Before the rising of the Court,
   Mr. Wallis, solicitor, said—My lord, before your lordship leaves the court, as being a matter of importance to myself I am sure your lordship will allow me to refer to an observation which I am informed dropped from you to-day. Your lordship would not, I know, allow anything that dropped from you to have any effect that would tend to injure me with the public— —
   The Chief Baron—Certainly not.
   Mr. Wallis—And therefore I address you, my lord. There was a prisoner of the name of Lynch, whom I am concerned for, and I am told that your lordship said to-day that an action could be brought against me—against the prisoner's attorney—for not having taken measures to secure a proper defence. I think it right to tell your lordship that, in the first place, I am greatly afflicted with a very bad leg, which prevented me from attending the court to-day, and which compels me to remain under medical treatment. But as regards the prisoner, the very moment I got the meagre instructions his brother was able to give me I put them together in as good a manner as I possibly could, and sent them immediately to Mr. Coffey. Mr. Coffey had that brief yesterday, but he was at the time defending another prisoner of the same name in the next court. I did everything I could to get into communication with the prisoner and his family but none of them ever came near me, and under these cirucmstances I think your lordship will perceive that I am undeserving of the remark your lordship made.
   The Chief Baron—I did not make at all the observations you suppose, or say I would advise the man to sue you. I said if his attorney had not communicated with him and if his witnesses did not go to the attorney, I would appoint an attorney for him and I would advise him to sue the attorney for neglecting his duty. I said it only supposing the other thing occurred. The man was asked if he required any witness, he named one, and the fact of this witness being in town was communicated to some person acting for him. It was the business of the attorney to see that man, or send his clerk for him. Don't understand me to say you have done that, Mr. Wallis, but if I found that it was done I would certainly have assigned the man an attorney and recommended him to bring an action against the first solicitor.
   Mr. Wallis—And what you say was done, my lord, but the public take it for granted when they hear what was stated to-day that the contrary was the fact. I assure you every instruction I could give counsel was given to him and at the proper time. But never a single witness went near me.
   The Court then rose.
YESTERDAY.
   John Sullivan and Patrick Finn were indicted for having set fire to a part of the Cork Union Workhouse building, on the 4th March, 1863, the occasion of a riot occurring in the establishment. They pleaded not guilty, and were tried by the same jury as was sworn in the last case.
   Messrs. Copinger, Q.C., Barry, Q.C., and O'Hea prosecuted on behalf of the crown.
   Mr. Copinger, Q.C., having briefly stated the facts of the case.
   His Lordship asked whether the Crown intended going into the transactions antecedent to the arson with which the prisoners were charged.
   Mr. Copinger said they did not.
   Michael M'Carthy deposed—I was an inmate of the Cork Workhouse on the 4th march ; Sullivan and Finn, the prisoners, were inmates at the same time ; between 7 and 8 o'clock in the evening of the 4th I saw the two prisoners standing together in one of the yards, and one of them, Finn, said to me—“If you want to get yourself transported you had better join us” ; I said I did not want to be transported ; they then walked up to the window of the shoemaker's shop ; this shop is on the ground floor ; some of the infirm men sleep on the floor above it ; there is a wire screen outside the window of the shoemaker's shop ; the prisoners pulled this screen from the window, and shoved in the sash with their hands, when they had opened the window, they got into the shop ; I went in after them, and I saw Finn take a large knife from under his jacket, and cut the gas pipe with it ; both then caught the gas pipe, and pulled it out from the wall ; when they had the pipe loosened, Finn lit a match, and applied it to the gas to see if it were escaping but it was not ; he then recommenced cutting the pipe again, and continued at it until Sullivan told him the gas was escaping ; when Sullivan said that the gas was escaping, Finn said that it was not escaping strong enough as he wanted to burn the building, and he went on hammering for a few minutes more, and then applied a match again, when the gas lit ; there was a beam just above the pipe upon which the flame played ; when they saw the beam taking fire they came out of the shop and went away ; I went to bed and remained there ; some of the paupers were still in the yards.
   To his Lordship—I can't say whether there was a moon that night ; Finn or Sullivan did not tell me they were going to burn the house ; I did not know what they were doing ; I don't think I ever stated what appears in the information—that Finn said me—“We are going to burn the house, won't you join us.”
   Jeremiah Desmond, examined by Mr. O'Hea, deposed—I am assistant schoolmaster in the workhouse ; on the evening of the 4th march I, while walking with another of the assistant schoolmasters, Mr. Ring, noticed light in the shoemaker's shop ; I went to the shop and found the lattice of the window broken ; I went in the window, and saw the gas pipe broken, and the joint on fire ; the flame was playing on the joint ; I came out immediately, and turned off the gas pipe ; by the master's directions water was thrown on the joint ; the men's infirm ward is over the shop ; there were over a hundred inmates in that ward ; most of them were in bed at the time ; it was after their bed time ; some of the men were blind ; the building in which the shop is has been constructed fourteen of fifteen years ; it is chiefly built of wood plastered outside ; there is a slight foundation wall of stone, about six feet high, and the upper portion is entirely of wood ; the wood is old and dry.
   The prisoner Finn said there were no blind men in the ward over the shop.
   The witness said he knew of his own knowledge that there were blind men in the ward ; the only outlet from the ward was a narrow staircase leading into the men's yard ; the ward is 20 feet from this yard.
   Mr. J. Ring, assistant schoolmaster, deposed to having seen the joint in the shoemaker's shop on fire ; he went on the first alarm into the ward above where some of the boys were to prevent them from attempting to get out of the windows.
   Patrick Connery, gas fitter, deposed that on the 5th March he inspected the gas pipe in the shoemaker's shop ; it was cut near the joint, and was torn from the wall ; there was a large crack in it from which gas might escape ; the pipe was of iron ; it was not cut ; did not see any marks in it ; the pulling out of the pipe would cause the fracture in it ; a knife would not cause it.
   Edmond Nagle, the shoemaker employed in the workhouse, deposed that the gas had not been lighted in the shop for a fortnight before the 4th March ; on that day he outed the fire when leaving at six o'clock, and fastened up the shop ; saw the gas pipe broken the next morning and the beam burned ; saw a fracture in the pipe ; it was at the side next to the wall.
   J. L. Cronin, R.M., deposed that he took the deposition of the witnesses in the case, and committed the prisoners for trial ; gave the usual caution to the prisoners ; after giving the caution to the prisoner, Flynn [sic] made the following statement—“I have nothing to say in the matter, only that M'Carthy is as deep in the mire, and as far in the matter as I am, I am sure Johnny Sullivan will say the same. It could not have been completed without his aid.”
   His Lordship then charged the jury. He said that it was clear from the two or three words that he had asked him that M'Carthy was an accomplice in this crime. There was not the slightest doubt but that M'Carthy joined these men, well knowing what their design was. It was perfectly plain that it was the intention of those parties to do this very mischief ; and from his own evidence, it was clear he was an accomplice. The result of that was that although the law allowed a verdict to be given on the uncorroborated testimony of an accomplice, he would advise the jury not to act on that evidence alone, notwithstanding that in strictness of law it was admissable. The judges were in the habit, for the protection of those who were charged by persons tainted with the ignominy of the transaction themselves, to direct the jury not to act on the unconfirmed evidence of an accomplice ; and he would therefore advise them not to find against the prisoner Sullivan, the case against whom stood on the evidence of the informer alone. As to Finn, he had plainly acknowledged that he was engaged in the attempt to set fire to the workhouse.
   The jury then retired, and shortly afterwards returned into court with a verdict of guilty against Patrick Finn and a verdict of acquittal in the case of John Sullivan.
   His Lordship—I cannot allow a moment to pass without pronouncing sentence in this case. I am desirous that those who have heard the trial should also have the opportunity of hearing the sentence. I don't know, Patrick Finn, whether you happen to be one of those who think it better to have what is called a sentence of transportation pronounced against you than to remain the inmate of a workhouse. If you are one of those misguided men, allow me to tell you that you are under a grievous mistake in so desiring. You will not be transported—you will not be sent to another country where you may gain your liberty after some period of confinement, and go at large to pursue some business or industry. You will be consigned to the punishment which is now called penal servitude, and the effect of that penal servitude is to make you a serf and slave for the period of your life for which this sentence is awarded. You will be subjected to close confinement, to strict discipline, to labour that may or may not be of use to you hereafter, according to your own conduct. It is a most severe privation. It is combined with pain and suffering, and it is one that few who ever suffered would desire to suffer again. The sentence which I will be obliged to pronounce upon you will withdraw you for a considerable period of your life from any hope of resuming any habits of industry, or of getting back even to a workhouse. I feel bound to pronounce a severer sentence in your case than has been awarded for a similar transaction in other places. It was difficult to contain one's feelings while hearing a portion of the evidence that was given in this case. A number of helpless old men had allotted to them the room over which it was intended that this conflagration should take place. The ceiling of the room where a number of old men were harboured, at the hour at which they had to retire to rest, when probably, in consequence of their age, many of them were actually sleeping—that was the spot and the time selected to burn the workhouse. How was that room circumstanced? Now, I am endeavouring to speak as plainly as possible, so as that you and all in court will understand me. That room was only to be entered by means of stairs that led from an outside yard, these stairs being made of timber ; the walls were timber ; the roof was timber. It was fourteen or fifteen years old. It was calculated to burn like matches upon fire being applied to it. How were those old men to escape if the flames had extended to their part of the building, and if Providence had not brought persons near who extinguished the fire?
The door was six feet from the outside, still it might have led to many being maimed if not killed. It is frightful to consider the consequences that would have resulted if you succeeded in your object ; and, indeed, it is difficult to conceive how such heartless, barbarous cruelty could enter the mind of any man, no matter how depraved he may be. I cannot restrain myself from expressing my sentiments very strongly on this subject ; but do not understand that the sentence I shall pass on you is the result of any resentment on my part towards you. I am merely speaking the language of the law, which denounces the crime, and accords to it a severe and exemplary punishment. I am only performing a pressing and imperative duty. It is not pleasant to me to consign any one to penal servitude, but the law, for the protection of life and property, awards a heavy sentence, and I am bound to pronounce it. The sentence of the court is that you be kept in penal servitude for a period of six years.
   Daniel Hilliard aged 19, John Ahern 16, Thos. Malone 16, James Shea 18, Denis Murray 19, and John Sullivan, 22, were then put forward charged with riotous conduct, at the Cork Workhouse on the 4th March, [1863].
   James Browne examined by Mr. Copinger—Is a wardmaster in the Cork Union ; on the night of the disturbance in the Workhouse he saw the prisoners Murray, Sullivan, Shea, and Flinn [sic] ; between seven and eight saw fifty or sixty persons in the hall underneath the board. Finn had something under his jacket ; asked him what he had when he drew out a stick and made a stroke at him ; the three other prisoners also had sticks ; Sullivan and Murray attempted to strike him ; Finn said to the master, who was with him at the time, that they were wronged, and that he was not the master at all ; that was not the proper place for the men to be at that hour at any time without his permission.
   To his Lordship—There was sufficient light in the hall for me to identify the prisoners.
   George Larrymore, master's clerk, was examined by Mr. Barry, and deposed that on the night of the riot he was in his office when he heard the rush of many men and the bursting open of a door ; the rush and noise proceeded from a body of the inmates who had come down from their beds to the passage near the master's office ; that passage was divided from the men's ward by a large gate.
   His Lordship said that he feared the case could not go on without a diagram or plan of the premises.
   Examination continued—Believes that it was the gate between the passage and the men's department that caused the noise ; the passage and the cell are all the same, there are six entering on the hall.
   His Lordship said that it was really a most lamentable thing that a case of this kind should be brought into court without a map, by which alone the circumstances of the case could be understood.
   Mr. Steele, master of the workhouse deposed to the assembling of the paupers in a very large number ; they were crying out that they wanted to get revenge on Larrymore, and Brown ; four of the prisoners, Finn, Sullivan, Murray and Shea, were armed with sticks ; several blows were aimed at Larrymore and Brown, and witness put his arms out to protect them ; none of the blows fell on witness, or if they did he did not feel them ; three or four of the crowd forced their way into the passage ; Brown for protection was obliged to go into the hospital office, and Finn made several attempts to get at him ; he caught the latch and tried to force the door but did not succeed.
   One of the prisoners accused the master of drunkeness on the night in question, and said that there was a smell of drink from him that would be sufficient to make him drunk, along with the master.
   The Master said that he never got drunk, but particularly on the 4th he took less refreshment than other days.
   This closed the case for the crown, and
   The prisoners having been asked if they had anything to say, one of them, the same prisoner who first spoke, said—I am very sorry it is not worse ; twice worse, for the persecution I got. If I get back, if it is for one year or two years, I'll do something.
   His Lordship then charged the jury. He said the law on the subject of riot was this :—If three or four persons, assembling together with weapons and with demonstration of force to effect some object, and with a determination to use force in resisting any force brought against them—if those persons assembled together in the manner he had described, and effected their object, that would be a riot, but if they did not, although the law was broken, it would not be a riot. The crowd of paupers who assembled together in the workhouse confessedly had two objects, one being the liberation of some of the inmates, and the other to punish Brown the wardmaster, and Larrymore. It was clear that their first object was not effected ; the second might require some explanation. Was either Brown or Larrymore struck? The Master said that he warded off any blows that were aimed at him ; at the same time he said that he could not say that himself was struck. But in the eyes of the law an assault was committed if a person raised a stick to strike another while that person was within striking distance, and if there were persons standing by aiding and abetting in that act they were also guilty of assault. Now the jury should apply that rule to the case of the prisoners.
   The jury then retired, and in a few minutes returned into Court and enquired of the Master whether any of the prisoners were within striking distance of Brown of Larrymore when the blows were aimed at them. The Master said that they were, and the jury again retired.
   Mr. Coppinger [sic], while they were inside, asked his Lordship whether the indictments could be separated ; the unlawful assembly from the riot.
   His Lordship replied in the negative.
   Mr. Coppinger [sic], Q.C., said that in the case of the Gavazzi riots in Tralee his opinion was that if the indictment had been for unlawful assembly, and not for a riot, that the persons charged would have been found guilty.
   The jury shortly again came into Court, with a verdict of guilty against all the persons for riot.
   His Lordship sentenced Finn, who was convicted in the former case, to one day's imprisonment, and postponed passing sentence on the remainder of the prisoners.
BIRTHS.
   On the 20th inst., at 22, Richmond-hill, Rathmines, the wife of Mr. Richard Manifold, Prisons' Office, Dublin Castle, of a daughter.
   On the 17th inst., at Southlands, Chale, Isle of Wight, the wife of Major-General Henry Tucker, C. B., of a daughter.
   On the 17th inst., at Blackheath, the wife of Lieutenant-Col. Gallwey, Royal Engineers, of a daughter.
MARRIAGES.
   On the 19th inst., at Mount Juliet, the seat of the Earl of Carrick, the Hon. John T. W. Massy, second son of Hugh Hammon, fourth Baron Massy, to the Lady Lucy Maria Butler, daughter of Somerset Richard, third Earl of Carrick.
DEATHS.
   On the 20th inst., at No. 16, Patrick-street, Cork, Eliza, relict of the late James Ievers, Esq., J.P., Glenfield, county Limerick.
   At Templemore, Captain Simmons, R.N.
   At Cappoquin, on the 18th instant, John, eldest son of Clement Carroll, Esq.
   On the 24th inst., at York Terrace, Cork, the residence of her son, in her 82nd year, Mary, relict of the late John Galway Ronan, of Cork, M.D.
   On the 8th inst., at Leghorn, Arthur Kennedy Forbes, Esq., aged 48, barrister-at-law, of Newstone, county Meath.
   On the 19th inst., in Upper Merrion-street, Dublin, Major John Bonner, formerly of Her Majesty's 1st Royal Regt.
   On the 21st instant, at his residence, Windsor, Monkstown-avenue, Dublin, Matthew Law, Esq.
   On the 21st inst., of chin-cough, Mary Anne, aged 4½ years, third daughter of Mr. Thomas M'Anespie, of Great Brunswick-street, Dublin.
   On the 10th inst., at 49, Onslow-square, Brompton, Lucy, widow of the late Colonel Wollaston, of Shenton Hall, Leicestershire, and sister of the late Sir Henry Strachey, Bart., aged 21.
   On the 11th inst., at his residence, Chelsea, London, John Bagwell, Esq., of Kilmore, co. Tipperary, late Captain 60th Rifles, aged 73.
   On the 17th inst., Elizabeth Saunderson, sole surviving daughter of the late Rev. William Atherton, and sister of the Attorney-General, M.P.
   On the 6th March, in New York, Mary Ann Horan, in the 48th year of her age, a native of Cahirciveen, co. Kerry.
   March 18, at Clarinda-terrace, Kingstown, John Monson Boyes, Esq., Lieut.-Colonel of the Madras Army.
NAVAL APPOINTMENTS.
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   Second Masters—John Edwards, to the Pandora ; Fred. Seaton, to the Sparrow ; James D. Wiltshire, to the Megaera. Master's Assistants—R. F. Bellis, to the Pandora ; Pownal Aplin, to the Sparrow.
   Engineer—Wm. C. Breck, to the Indus, as super- numerary. Assistant Engineers—Alexander Smart, to the Cumberland, for the Snipe ; Peter Thompson, to the Pembroke.
   Second Master—J. W. Morris, to the Fisgard, as supernumerary. Assistant Paymasters—James R. Ray, to the Excellent ; Marcus O. N. Markham, to the Meander. Assistant Clerks (as supernumeraries)—John H. Evans, to the Victory ; Charles E. Warren, and George F. M. Kent, to the Revenge ; George D. Daunt, to the Cornwallis ; M. Vining, Thomas Ebatt, Charles J. Pawley, and F. F. Trearhen, to the Fisgard.
   Chief Engineer—Thomas Duncan, to the Orpheus, for disposal. Engineer—Owen A. Davies, to the Pandora, commissioned. Assistant Engineers—Simeon Lawton, T. Murray, and James Sterling, to the Sparrow, commissioned ; Edward Newman, to the Indus, for the Clinker ; John Staley and James Grant, to the Pandora, commissioned ; John West, to the Cumberland, as supernumerary.
   The Marquis d'Andizus has arrived at the Imperial Hotel, from the French Embassy, London.
   Sir Charles and Lady Watson have arrived at the Imperial (per City of New York), from New York.
   Lieut.-Col. the Hon. P. Fielding, Coldstream Guards, has left the Imperial for Killarney.
   CAPTAIN FRANK BAGOT, of company K, 35th Indiana (1st Irish), who was killed at the battle of Stone River, was brought to the Cathedral, Cincinatti, and thence to the old Cemetery on the Hill. He was in the prime of life—a fine looking specimen of a Federal soldier. He was a native of Ardfinnan, county Tipperary, Ireland, and brother of William F. Bagot, Esq., Sheriff of Ripley, county Indiana, and son of Walter Bagot, Esq., Ardfinnan. May his soul rest in peace—Amen. —Tipperary Free Press.
Submitted by dja
The Cork Examiner, 25 March 1863
DECOYING FEMALES FROM LONDON TO FRANCE.
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   At the Mansion House, last week, Mr. Beard said he was instructed by the London Society for the Protection of Young Women to give publicity to what appeared to be a system of entrapping young women abroad on the pretext of engaging them as governesses, but in reality for the purposes of prostitution. Advertisements appeared some weeks ago to which many young women replied, and the result was to bring them into communication with a Mr. F. Robertson, who was supposed to be a Frenchman, though he bore or assumed an English surname. He (Mr. Beard) had letters which this Mr. Robertson had addressed to three young women, and all of which were to the same purport. Writing from an address in the Rue Paradis- Poissoniere, he stated that he could introduce his correspondent as a governess to a highly respectable French family, where it would be her duty to instruct, chiefly in English, two young ladies, about 13 and 15 years of age. The salary would be £72 a year, and she would be privileged to use her employer's carriage and a separate apartment. Her travelling expenses would be paid “in a first-class department,” and she would be guaranteed an engagement of three years certain. The writer added, that the condition of “our firm” were commission £4, to be paid in four months at £1 a month, and she would be expected to send immediately a post-office order for £1, the first month's commission, with her references. In one case he offered one of his correspondents a situation in the family of a countess in Paris, with a salary of 2,000f., on her paying him 100f. as commission, 25f. of which were to be in advance. There was reason to believe, from inquiries made by M. Pollaky at the instance of the Society, that about 20 young women had been induced to embrace the offers held out to them and to go to Paris ; but on arriving there they discovered that they had been allured from their home for immoral purposes. On Monday last, this Mr. Robertson being then in London, about as many more young women met him by his appointment at an office in Lower Thames-street, in the occupation of a countryman of his, to make arrangements for going to Paris to situations which he had undertaken to procure them. But the householder's suspicions were aroused by the sight of so many well-dressed lady-like women, and he interfered. Robertson immediately left the place, and had not been seen since, and the society for whom he (Mr. Beard) was engaged believed that the man with others were systematically engaged in inveigling young women for the purpose of prostitution, and hoped the publicity given to it would act as a warning. Sir Robert Carden said he would go further than that, and advise the society to make a representation, through the Foreign Office, to the English [sic] Ambassador in Paris, who would probably, with the assistance of the French Government, institute inquiries into the matter.
THANKS.
   From the Trustees of the Cork Blind Asylum to James D. M'Mahon, Esq., for a donation of £1.
POLICE OFFICE—THIS DAY.
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(Before Mr. JOHNSON and Mr. CRONIN, R.M.)
MR JOYCE, inspector of hackney cars, summoned Cornelius Ahern, Patrick Reilly, Wm. Curtin, and John Callaghan, car drivers, for loitering off their stands on Hanover-place and Patrick-street. They were fined in small amounts. Two drivers were fined 5s. and costs for plying cars unlicensed.
BIRTHS.
   On the 25th inst., at his residence, South Mall, the wife of Richard Callaghan, M.D., of a son.
   March 16, the wife of James Lennane, Esq., Feale Cottage, Listowel, of a son.
DEATHS.
   March 20th, at Dromana House, White Gate, county Galway, the residence of her cousin, J. W, Seward, Esq., J.P., Mary Anne, the eldest daughter of the late Noble Seward, Esq., Upper Bearforest, Mallow, county Cork, aged 76 years.
   On Tuesday morning at his father's residence, Castle- street, Tralee, Mr. Thomas Jeffcott, compositor, aged 25 years, after a lingering illness.
   On the 18th inst., of hooping cough, Eugene, the eldest and beloved child of Mr. E. M'Sweeny, master of the workhouse, Killarney.
   On the 11th inst., Sub-Constable William Reed, of the Ventry Station, of erysipelas in the head, at the early age of 27.
   At the Parochial House, Ramsgrange, county Wexford, the Very Rev. George Murphy, P.P.
   March 22, at Dunville-avenue, Ranelagh, Patrick Ward, Esq., solicitor, of Dame-street, aged 56.
   On Friday last, at Fairy Lodge, Portumna, Rosetta Kathleen, the youngest child of Edmond Fitzgerald Ryan, Esq., Resident Magistrate.
   A respectable farmer, named Maurice Power, of Portlaw, county Waterford, had a dispute with one of his labourers, named John Carey, and a scuffle ensuing, the latter stooped to pick up a stone, whereupon the former, having the handle of a prong in his hand, struck him a blow on the head, from the effects of which he died the next day. A respectable coroner's jury acquitted the master of the manslaughter of his man, on the ground that he inflicted the blow in self-defence (?).
   Richard Nunn, Q.C., has resigned the Chairmanship of Quarter Sessions for the County Tyrone, in which county he had presided more than thirty-four years. —Saunders.
Submitted by dja
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