Stagecoach Robbery
In
May 1798 a rebel attack on the town of
Carlow resulted in defeat and the death of over 600 men and
widespread destruction of property. However unrest continued for
some time in the countryside.
Three farmers were killed by rebels in August
in the neighbourhood of Carlow town. It was reported in October that
the counties of Carlow and Wexford were again in arms. The land
between the Barrow and the Slaney was "infested with rebels"
according to one report. Fugitives had taken refuge in the woods of
Killoughran. By November only the neighbourhood of Rathvilly was
"infested with rebel banditti" according to the authorities.
Even in March 1800, almost two years after the
rebellion, one or two house burnings and murders were taking place,
particularly in Co. Kildare, bordering on Carlow. According to the
report "The spirit of rebellion is as relentless as ever, it is only
restrained by fear".
A year later a spectacular robbery took place
near Carlow.
The Cork-Dublin mail coach was attacked and
robbed on the night of Thursday, March 4th, 1801. The incident
happened at Knocknagee two miles on the Dublin side of Carlow. The
robbers, almost forty in number opened fire on the dragoons and
guard attending the coach. The attackers positioned themselves
behind the walls of the Bruen estate. The guards returned fire but
they were eventually overcome by the robbers, who were greater in
number. The escorts retreated to Carlow and left the passengers to
the mercy of the robbers, who plundered the coach and then made
their escape.
A £500 reward was offered in respect of the
robbery. Two Magrath brothers were sentenced to death for the
robbery at the Athy assizes in August, 1801. Later, in January 1802,
Patrick and John Mooney were executed on the site of the robbery,
near Colonel Bruen's demesne wall at Knocknagee, near Carlow town.
Source: Ask about Ireland.
