Newspaper: Abstracts with mention of Limerick, 1832

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ABSTRACTS WITH MENTION OF LIMERICK, 1832
The Times; London, Middlesex, England

January 17, 1832

A scene of barbarity occurred on Saturday on the lands of 
Knockrus, county Limerick. Three brothers named Power, went 
to a neighbouring farm to get possession of some land which 
was willed by their deceased brother to his children. On 
entering the land they were opposed by a man named Nash, who 
it seems has married the widow of their elder brother. A 
conflict arose in which Thomas Power was dreadfully wounded 
by a pitchfork in the side, which entered his chest and 
wounded the lungs. John Power had his skull fractured by a 
blow of a stone; Maurice Power was stabbed in many parts of 
the body with a sharp instrument. The three brothers are 
under the care of a surgeon, who entertains little hopes of 
recovery of two of them. The principals in this horrid 
outrage are committed fully for trial at the ensuing 
assizes.—Limerick Evening Post.
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January 18, 1832

On Wednesday morning a cruel and diabolical murder was 
committed in Templemore. The victim was a young man named 
Short, apprentice to a brazier in that town of the name of 
Gunning. While on business he was way-laid and murdered 
within a quarter of a mile of Templemore. His body was found 
soon after on the public road, and a deep wound over his 
temple. Same day James Cormick and Mrs. Gunning were 
apprehended on suspicion of being concerned in the murder, 
and on Thursday an inquest was held on the body, when it 
appeared that the evening before the murder Cormick was 
heard to say he would take Short's life, and that Mrs. 
Gunning had requested another apprentice of her husband to 
fill a large stick with 3lb of molten lead, the instrument 
with which it is supposed the fatal deed was affected - that 
Cormick slept with the apprentice, and rose early in the 
morning, was absent for some time, and returned to bed 
again. The jury found a verdict of willful murder against 
Mrs. Gunning and Cormick, who were sent off yesterday 
morning to Clonmel gaol, under an escort of the 74th 
Regiment.—Limerick Chronicle.
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January 31, 1832

In the county of Limerick the old feuds between rack and 
landlord and starving tenant are revising and “Captain 
Right” is posting notices there, warning inhuman agents and 
middlemen to expect to share the fate of others who have 
been murdered for neglecting to attend to the advice of the 
“Rightboys.” This county, more than all others, has been 
characterized, of late years, by feelings of hostility 
between landlord and tenant, and the victims immolated to 
both interests have been numerous. The notices threaten a 
renewal of these frightful scenes. It is to be remarked that 
the peasantry of this county are always more ready to strike 
than to write. The following is a copy of a notice taken 
down from a house belonging to Laurence Marshall, Esq., of 
Tomaline, near Doon, county of Limerick, by a constable 
under the command of Lieutenant Brady. It was addressed to 
Mr. Marshall, “from the county Tipperary Right-boys.”

“Sir,- We are surprisingly astonished at the cruel 
proceedings you have taken of late, as we can hear. Your 
forefathers we knew well to be always humane and charitable 
gentlemen. Imitate those you descend from, - indulge your 
tenants, - show them justice in their dealings with you,- 
allow them their rights, - don't give credit to bad 
advisers, otherwise we'll come to visit you if you don't 
change immediately from the way you have, and serve you like 
we served Baker Ormsby, Wheeler, &c. Let this be your first 
and last notice. Given under our hands this 12th day of 
January, 1832.”
---------------------
March 12, 1832

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES. 
Sir. - On the morning of the 7th ult., Daniel Barber died on 
board the Felicity, of Limerick, lying off the Hermitage 
tier, of the disease which is now epidemically prevailing. 
The Central Board of Health, probably from the case not 
suiting their purpose, have attempted to disprove, or throw 
doubts on, the evidence with which they were then furnished. 
A few cases have, since that time, come under my 
observation, two of which have been reported by those in 
connection with the Board as cholera.

Whether it is Asiatic or English cholera, it is a peculiar 
and a rapidly fatal disease, unless speedily arrested; but 
reasonable doubts may be entertained of  the advantages to 
be derived to the patients, or to the practitioners, from 
the restrictions with which they have of late been fettered.

In no instance which I have seen has there been any 
appearance of it occurring from contagion. The slavish fear 
excited by believing it is possible to be so produced, is in 
my opinion likely to lead to the loss of many a life. In 
proof of the correctness of my views, I may here state, that 
when an unfortunate seaman is taken ill, nobody will venture 
to admit him as a lodger; on board, no opportunity can be 
afforded of doing him justice, and if sent to the 
cholera-ship, he must be rowed as far as Limehouse down the 
river, perhaps amidst rain and darkness or against the tide. 
The situation in which the medical practitioner may be 
placed, the following occurrence will serve to illustrate - 
A captain was brought ashore from the Hermitage tier, to be 
taken to an establishment in wapping for the reception of 
cholera patients. After it was thought that all was ready, 
it was found his vessel was lying opposite to another 
parish. The consequence of this discovery was, the 
unfortunate man was left on the river side, and might have 
perished but for the humanity of his surgeon, who, no other 
immediate resource being left, took him to his own 
residence, and placed him on his own bed. I have since seen 
the patient twice, and he is likely to recover.

The Board seemed at a loss how to account for the appearance 
of the first case. Although they merit but little kindness 
at my hands, let me, through the medium of your valuable 
columns, direct attention to the fact that the vessels laden 
with manure frequently repair to the tiers; and that they 
are in the habit of taking in their cargoes near 
Rotherhithe, on the south side of the river. May not the 
evil be traced to this source, - both at the Hermitage and 
at Rotherhithe, - in place of ascribing it to the man 
employed in scraping a ship's bottom.

The vessel on board of which my patient died on Monday, 
contained several tons of manure; and the place where he was 
sleeping was damp with its exhalations. The vessel, from 
which the captain was brought ashore, was represented to 
have emitted most offensive effluvia.

Let the Board of Health look into these matters and they 
will be better employed than in distorting facts, to 
frighten the public into a belief in cholera contagion.

I am, Sir, you most obedient servant,
14. Burr-street, March 7. ROBERT BOWIE, Surgeon.
---------------------
July 27, 1832

	In the county Limerick the Rev. Mr. Coote is at open war 
with his parishioners, who have not forgotten the formidable 
train of flying artillery, lancers, police, &c., introduced 
into the parish in his last tithe visitation. At the great 
meeting at Cullen, the proceedings of which were prevented 
on the 11th instant, the peasantry determined to mark their 
sense of military interference by adopting the non-laboring 
system of Kildare towards the tithe partisans, and 
particularly to the rev. principals, amongst whom Mr. Coote 
was entitled to special attention. Accordingly, the next day 
all his labourers “struck,” his meadows remained uncut, and 
his potatoes undug, and his turf in the bog. However, in the 
course of the next week (on Tuesday, the 17th), he contrived 
to obtain the assistance of between 60 and 70 men, tenants 
of the adjoining estate of the Earl of Stradbroke, to cut 
his turf in one day (after the fashion of an American 
frolic). Those neighbours worked away merrily till about 5 
in the evening, when the bog was approached by about 2,000 
of the parson's parishioners, shouting most fearfully. The 
extern frolickers found that this was no joke, and ran with 
the rev. gentleman, and some of his friends who had been 
looking on, to the glebe house as fast as their legs could 
carry them. Six policemen, whom the parson retains as 
body-guard, ran as fast as the rest, pursued off the bog to 
the very grounds of the glebe. Next day, some turf-cutters 
from a distance (not exactly aware of the extent of their 
danger) wished to negotiated for their services; but the 
rev. gentleman humanely refused to employ them. However, the 
news of their arrival spread, and by evening about 800 men 
marched to the bog as before, and the strangers seeing how 
matters stood, quietly returned home, leaving the rev. 
gentleman to settle the question with his parishioners in 
his own way.
---------------------
August 18, 1832

LIMERICK PETTY SESSIONS, SATURDAY 
A LIMERICK BASS

	The first charge investigated was one of assault, in 
which Mr. DeCourcey, the butter inspector, was plaintiff and 
a young lady named Kiely, a niece of Mrs. Sheehy, of Roche's 
-street, innkeeper, was defendant.
	Mr. DeCourcey stated the nature of his complaint in a 
few words. He had been, he said, on a country excursion at 
Peafield, near Ballysimon, the summer residence of Mrs. 
Sheehy, on Thursday last, and had there met Miss Kiely, who 
resided with her aunt, and in whose company he was to have 
dined. It so occurred, however, that a dispute arose between 
the young lady and himself before dinner, and her conduct on 
the occasion obliged him to now bring her before the bench 
to answer for it. She had, in fact, taken a wine glass from 
off the table, and had struck him with it over the nose, 
cutting it severely, and swelling up all the neighbouring 
parts, particularly his cheeks and upper lip, and in a 
dreadful manner by the blow.
	Every eye was here riveted on the young lady, whose 
appearance, contrary to the impression produced on our minds 
by Mr. DeCourcey's charge, indicated the gentlest feminine 
deportment and modest and retiring manners. She is of a 
delicate and slender form and very prepossessing, if not 
very handsome - in a lover's eye she would certainly appear 
both. Her defence, as was given in evidence, was as follows 
- 
	Some time before dinner hour, Mr. DeCourcey and his 
friends arrived at her aunt's house, in which there is but 
one room not used as a bedchamber, apart from that in which 
meals are usually served up. In this room Miss Kiely and a 
young female acquaintance of hers were preparing to receive 
their visitors. The former was undressed, and the latter was 
assisting her equipment by lacing her stays. This was the 
interesting situation of the ladies when Mr. DeCourcey, who 
was not known to have arrived, like another Gilbert Glossen, 
burst into the room. Instead of retiring on the instant, he 
boldly maintained his footing, and seemed as fixed to the 
spot as the Apollo Belvedere upon his pedestal. There he 
stood, immoveable, despite of all remonstrance, like the 
pestilent visitor from whose bad influence the affrighted 
world now seeks to be disengaged. There are few men, we 
think, of ordinary feelings, who would have been proof 
against the expostulations of two young girls in such a 
distressing situation, and undaunted by the rebuke of even 
their eyes. As it was, the complainant used very coarse 
expressions, because the ladies did not leave the apartment 
immediately upon entering it, forgetting that the flight of 
ladies is not always practicable when they are in their 
dishabille, and wholly regardless of what decorum must have 
suggested to himself. But Miss Kiely heroically asserted the 
dignity of her sex, as we are about to show. When dinner was 
announced, the young lady was, of course, invited to sit 
down; but she declined. She was again invited, but declined 
again. On being entreated a third time to sit down, she 
said, “I cannot sit in the company of so iniquitous a fellow 
(meaning Mr. DeCourcey), I cannot stoop to such society; “ 
sentiments which drew from the complainant a retort in the 
following words - “D__m you' It is the likes of you who 
would say so two sods of a keerawan.” We confess we are not 
yet so provincialized as to understand what the latter 
branch of this sentence means. We never heard it before, and 
are ashamed to write it down. But we, who perform the humble 
office of reporters, are sometimes reduced to the condition 
of the maitre des basses aeuvres, who has commonly dirty 
work to do, without always finding gold.
	Miss Kiely was highly incensed by the expression just 
noted, and though simply the niece of an innkeeper, she was 
animated with the true spirit of a virtuous woman 
notwithstanding. She ran to the dinner table, seized a 
wine-glass, and flung it in the face of Mr. DeCourcey, from 
whose wounded nose the blood flowed copiously. But we must 
describe Mr. DeCourcey's nose.
	Mr. DeCourcey's nose is Grecian, or, speaking in more 
modern phrase, of the Wellington character. It is very 
large, and forms a high angular point at its junction with 
the forehead, causing a rather abrupt declivity towards the 
cavernous orifices below. There is nothing about it of a 
graceful declination, such as is described between the plane 
and the prime vertical circle - nothing of the easy and 
natural slope to either end from the center part, as in the 
structure of the Athlunkard bridge. It is quite a 
perpendicular nose, and any one falling form the top of it 
would be sure to be killed. The blood having ceased to issue 
forth, dark purulent matter had formed around it, and it 
looked for all the world like the crater of Vesuvius, with 
lava resting on its bosom after the flames subside. The 
Magistrates, after a consultation of a few minutes, fined 
the young lady 2s. 6d. and awarded the costs of the suit 
against her. 
	Mr. Barry - You can take the full value of your nose out 
of that, Mr. DeCourcey. (Laughter).
	Miss Kiely was then handed out of court. - Limerick 
Herald.
---------------------
October 18, 1832

We have received an express which left Limerick yesterday 
evening. The pending trials of the traversers upon the tithe 
prosecutions kept alive the most intense anxiety in that 
city. The Crown, it is said, offered to pass a nom nal 
sentence if the traversers would plead guilty. This evinced 
either an honourable sense of the injustice of punishment 
under the circumstances on the part of the prosecutors, or 
that conviction was doubtful. The traversers spurned the 
proffered compromise. The names of the traversers who had 
Colonel Cossett [or Gossett] served are, Messrs. John Reedy, 
Patrick Carey, Richard O'Shaughnessy, I D C Mahony, Daniel 
Fitzgerald, John Hasset, John Dowling, and Richard Maume. 
The bills were before the grand jury, and had not been found 
at the departure of our communication.