May 27, 2010

Date Published: {J}

Prisoners released

Shortly before four o’clock on yesterday afternoon, the two Craughwell prisoners, Michael Dermody and Thomas Hynes, the former of whom was a few weeks ago tried for the murder of Constable Goldrick at Crinnage, in Jan. of last year – were released from Galway prison.

No one was aware that they would be released on that day, and the prisoners themselves were only apprised of the glad tidings a short time before.

They came out into the city as free men, after having been over fourteen months in jail, at a time when most of the citizens were at Shantalla taking part in the ceremony of the blessing of the first stone of the Diocesan College.

The news of their release spread like wildfire, and the hairdresser’s establishment into which they had gone, was stormed by a crowd eager to congratulate them.

In a few minutes, the crowd had attained enormous proportions and amid a scene of unbounded enthusiasm, Hynes and Dermody were carried on two shoulders high to the 4.25 train, fog signals being discharged as they streamed out of the station on their way to Craughwell.

It is stated that their release has no connection with the death of King Edward, but is due to the Crown not formulating any further charge against them.

Tea argument

At Letterfrack Petty Sessions, John Connolly charged John McGoldrick and Pat Hannon with threatening language and kicking his door. Complainant deposed that the two defendants entered his house, and when he refused to hand over to them a pound of tea that had been left by another man, they used threatening language towards him, and kicked the door after being put out by him.

Mr. Connolly, solr., defended, and examined both defendants, who denied both charges, and were bound in their own recognisances to keep the peace for six months.

Wretched Galway

At the National demonstration held in Cork on Saturday and Sunday, Mr. William O’Brien said: “If they ask you to forsake the All-for-Ireland League for the Molly Maguires, they ought to tell you candidly that you will have to pay for the luxury £50,000 a year for the extra police tax and for malicious injuries, which is the sum to be paid by the wretched county of Galway, which has won the blue ribbon in Mr. Dillon’s policy of kicking up a row.

“Believe me, in spite of all the devilries of a corrupt and subsidised Press, the day will come, and it will come soon, when the rest of the country will discover the truth, as well as Cork, and will regard these men with indignation and horror as great as nine out of every ten decent men in Cork regard the invasion of to-day.”

Pottery factory

It is stated that negotiations for the purchase of a business concern in Lombard Street have been going on during the week for the purpose of starting a pottery factory. Influential and enterprising business gentlemen of the city are at the head of affairs, and it is expected something practical will result.

The best of clay for the manufacture of the high-class pottery can be had in the immediate vicinity of the city. As we stated last week, Dr. Ambrose, ex-M.P. for North Mayo, was making arrangements for the crushing of quartz here for the pottery trade in Staffordshire.

1935

Poteen prison

Thomas Cavanagh, Corrandulla, was charged with concealing four gallons of poteen that were found hidden in a bush on his father’s land.

Mr Hal Macdermott (Defending) said Thomas Cavanagh admitted the charge, but the father, Michael Cavanagh, who was charged for having the poteen on his land, knew nothing about it having been planted there.

Michael Cavanagh, cross-examined by Supt. Sean Murphy, said he did not know where his son was the previous night, but he was in the house before witness went to 11 o’clock Mass. He threatened his son to have nothing to do with poteen or he would have him put away.

The Justice said it was a serious case, as four gallons of poteen would not be got for the usual excuse to cure a cold. He ordered Thomas Cavanagh to be imprisoned for three months with hard labour, and he dismissed the case against the father.

Cow’s broken leg

Patrick O’Neill, whose address was given as 3 Corrib Terrace, Galway, was fined 40s and 15s costs by Mr. Cahill, D.J., at Kinvara District Court on Friday with the reckless driving of a lorry on March 27 last.

The evidence was that on the occasion, the defendant’s lorry knocked down a coe, dragged her twenty yards along the road, and broke her leg. The cow was later on the advice of a veterinary surgeon, destroyed. There was no appearance for the defendant in the summons and Supt. Noonan, Lisdoonvarna, examined Patrick Madden, New Quay, the owner of the cow, who stated that at about 4.30pm on the date in questions while driving the cow along the public road, he saw the lorry coming along at what he considered a fast pace.

He put the cow into the side of the road – the lorry struck the cow, knocked her down and carried her twenty yards along the road before it pulled up. The cow’s leg was broken and the Guards brought a veterinary surgeon there and the cow, on his advice, was destroyed. The animal was a three year-old and worth about £14.

Guard Roche, who visited the scene while O’Neill was present, deposed to taking measurements from points on the road pointed out to him by the last witness. The road was eighteen feet wide at the spot. He saw the cow’s back leg skinned and her leg seemed to be broken.

Madden told the justice that he lost 15s coming to court that day. “I am working for the County Councill drawing sand and I made 15s yesterday. I lose my day’s wages, 15s, coming here to-day.” The justice allowed 15s costs and imposed a fine of 40s.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.