Crimes
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The Prologue: Henry “Bounce” Walsh, of Catsrock, Glenmore
As previously published Henry “Bounce” Walsh was hanged on 1 September 1847 for the murder of John Walsh near Bishop’s Hall, in what was sometimes referred to as the Black Corner murder. Notwithstanding the circumstantial evidence presented in the court, Henry “Bounce” Walsh asserted to the very end that he was not guilty of the murder. Thanks to Beth Tykodi who shared the article on the “Bouncer” Walshes, which was published on 20 January 1846, as it led to locating other pre-murder newspaper articles with information concerning Henry “Bounce” Walsh as well as the name of his father and a brother. These newspaper accounts are often contradictory and confusing. Unfortunately this was common in newspaper accounts from the mid-nineteenth century. For the previous blog posts concerning the murder trial see; https://glenmore-history.com/the-murder-trial-of-henry-bounce-walsh-of-knockbrach-glenmore/ and for the execution see: https://glenmore-history.com/the-public-execution-of-henry-bounce-walsh-in-1847/ .
Convicted of Assault
In July 1845, Henry “Bounce” Walsh was arrested and charged with assaulting Mr. Gregory Lymbery. The following article appeared in the Waterford Chronicle and reveals that Bounce and another defendant both committed assaults and received similar sentences with one distinction. The other defendant assaulted a constable and was sentenced to hard labour.
“COUNTY COURT-Tuesday…Chief Justice Doherty” heard the following: “Daniel Maher, stood charged with an assault of a policeman at Abbeyside, while in the discharge of his duty. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and said, that but for being drunk on the night in question, he would not have interfered. Six months imprisonment, with bard labour. Henry Walsh was next put forward for an assault on Mr. Gregory Lymbery. He also pleaded as an excuse, that he was drunk on the night he committed the assault, and could not recollect, whether he committed the assault or not, but supposed he did. Six months imprisonment.” (Waterford Chronicle, Wed. 16 July 1845, p. 3)
Release from Jail & Victim of an Assault
On the day Henry “Bounce” Walsh was released from jail, the 15th of January 1846, having served his time for the assault on Mr. Lymbery, his brother John and his father Walter brought him some clothes. (Waterford Mail, 3 March 1846, p. 2) Thereafter, Bounce, John and Walter Walsh went drinking. On their way home “Bounce,” his father and brother were the victims of serious assaults. The article from Saunder’s New Letter (Dublin) (20 January 1846, p. 3) provides:
“DESPERATE ASSAULT—An assault, which, we regret to say, is in one instance likely to prove fatal, was committed Thursday night, about ten o’clock, on the persons of Walter Walsh, John Walsh, and Henry Walsh, the father and two sons, better known by the nickname of “The Bouncers,” and famous for their pugnacious propensities. They are residents of a place called Catsrock, about six miles from this city, in the County of Kilkenny. The occurrence took place at the county Kilkenny side of the bridge, near Alderman Forristal’s residence, and the parties by whom the injuries were inflicted are named Thomas Grant, John Halligan, James Power and James Brien. The weapon used was a bar of iron about three and a half feet long by two inches broad. Those parties are also natives of the county Kilkenny, and it appears the affray arose from a dispute of long standing. The Walshes are desperately wounded. Henry’s life is almost despaired of, and it is strange fact that he was only after being discharged from gaol on the same day, where he was confined for a wanton assault on Gregory Lymbery, Esq. Intimation of the circumstances having been given to Sergeant M’Coy, who was on duty on the Quay, he immediately proceeded to the opposite side of the bridge, and aided by his party, removed the wounded man to the police barrack, and then pursued the other parties, whom he succeeded in arresting. Grant was identified as the person who had used the bar of iron. The Walshes were removed to the Leper Hospital, and the others were on yesterday brought before the magistrates at petty sessions, and committed until the result of the injuries will be known.—Waterford Mail”
The Waterford Chronicle provided a slightly different account and falsely reported that Walter Walsh died of his injuries. This account provides that Grant, Bryan, Halligan or Hannigan and Power resided in Curraghmore, Slieverue.
“MURDER. On Thursday night about 10 o’clock four men named Thomas Grant, John Halligan, James Bryan, James Power, were proceeding from Waterford to Curraghmore, in the County Kilkenny, their residence, they had not proceeded far beyond the bridge when they overtook three men named John Walsh, Henry Walsh, and Walter Walsh. On coming up with the Walshes the attack commenced, and is stated that one the persons now in custody named Thomas Grant committed fearful havoc on the Walshes, whom he strewed about the road, with a heavy piece of new iron he had in his car. As soon as the alarm was given, Constable M’Coy and some of his men pursued the assailants, whom they succeeded in capturing, and conveyed them hack to the police barracks at Ferrybank, and also the sufferers whom they found bleeding on the road. After arriving at the barracks the sufferers identified prisoners as the persons who assaulted them. On seeing one the prisoners (Thomas Grant), Walter in identifying him said, “oh, it was you who slaughtered all with the bar of iron.” On yesterday, the prisoners were brought before the magistrates, they were identified by constable M’Coy, whose evidence corresponds with what we have stated. The prisoners were remanded. One of the Walsh’s an old man, died yesterday evening in the Leper Hospital, where his fellow sufferers are lying in a hopeless state. (Waterford Chronicle, Sat. 17, 1846, p. 3)
The trial of Thomas Grant and James Brien was held on Friday the 27th of February 1846 in the City Court of Waterford. Although the previous accounts implied that there were three Walsh victims and four defendants only two men stood trial for a “felonious assault, with intent to do some bodily injury, on the person of Walter Walsh.” The following account is from the Waterford Mail (3 March 1846, p. 2).
“Spring Assizes (City Court—Friday, before Honourable Justice Ball). Thomas Grant and James Brien were indicted for a felonious assault, with intent to do some bodily injury, on the person of Walter Walsh.
Walter Walsh examined—Is a farmer; lives at Cat’s Rock; has six sons; was in Waterford on the 15th January last; went to bring his son some clothes, as he was coming that day out of jail for having committed an assault on Mr. Lymbery; left Waterford about 8 o’clock that evening in company with two sons, Henry and John; when he came to the bridge; at the end where Mr. Forristal lives, witness was beaten on the head with a bar of iron by four men whom he met there; believes he got but one blow; when witness got the blow; Henry was struck and knocked down; he saw his sons that night in the police barrack, and they were sent to the hospital.
Henry Walsh examined—Is son to Watt Walsh; was coming from Waterford with his father and brother, and went over the bridge; when opposite Forristal’s house, witness was struck on the head with a bar of iron by Thomas Grant; Brien was with Grant, and was the first person who caught witness by the coat—[witness here identified the prisoners]—after witness was struck down with the bar of iron he became insensible, and did not speak until the morning after.
John Walsh deposed that he was with his father and brother going over the bridge on the evening in question; when at the other side of the bridge he saw three men together, the two prisoner and John Hannigan; witness caught hold of the bar of iron to defend himself when Tom Grant was about striking him with it; immediately he let go the iron bar, and was struck on the head with it and knocked down; his father and brother were down before himself; he was waiting for his father and brother at the old hotel of Mr. Forristal, when, thinking his father and brother were delaying too long, witness turned back and saw five men together his father, brother, the two traversers, and Hannigan; his father and brother were struck down, and witness was knocked down afterwards.
James Power examined—Saw Hannigan and Henry Walsh coming over the bridge staggering; they handled each other when they came over the bridge opposite Forristal’s door; Tom Grant and Jimmy Brien stood by; saw a bar of iron in Tom Grant’s hand; saw Hannigan strike John Walsh with the iron bar; he was the last man knocked down; all the parties had been drinking; heard nothing of a quarrel between them.
Laurence Sullivan examined—Remembers the night when the Walshs were beaten; accompanied the traversers over the bridge; was shaking hands with Henry Walsh and bidding him goodbye, when Hannigan struck Henry Walsh two blows with his fist; saw a bar of iron in the hands of Grant, but did not see him use it; witness was trying to make peace; was going away when Kennedy pulled him back; witness turned round and saw a man fall; saw Grant and Brien before—they were all tipsey that night—able to walk and no more.
Constable M’Coy proved the arrest of the prisoners and two others at the Mile post, in the County Kilkenny; they had a car, in which were two bars of iron [one was produced with which the injuries seemed to be inflicted]—Grant said the iron was his; when brought to the police station the prisoners were identified by the Walshes, and John Walsh stated that Grant was the man who slaughtered them all with the bar of iron.
Dr. J. Mackesy deposed to the nature and extent of the injuries inflicted, which were of so serious a nature that their lives were endangered. Mr. Rollestone addressed the jury for the prisoners. Henry Bolton, Esq., gave the prisoner Brien a character for quiet, orderly conduct. Nicholas Henneberry, a farmer, gave a good character of Grant. The Judge charged the jury at much length, who retired, and after a considerable delay, acquitted the prisoners of all the counts.”
It is not clear what defence the defendants employed, but given the acquittal it is likely that self-defence may have been plead. It is not clear, what role, if any, the life threatening head injury Henry “Bounce” Walsh suffered in 1846 played in his alleged killing of John Walsh in 1847.
Siblings of Henry “Bounce” Walsh
A quick review of the early parish records and we were able to locate six children of Walter Walsh and Mary Baldwin, of Catsrock, Glenmore. Unfortunately, we could not locate a baptism for Henry although we believe he may have been born between 1823 to 1830.
[1] John Walsh, was baptized on 11 July 1823 at Glenmore the son of Walter Walsh and Mary Beldon (sic). [2] Patrick Walsh, was baptized on 29 March 1830 at Glenmore. [3] Michael Walsh, was baptized on 17 May 1832 at Glenmore. [4] Mary Walsh, was baptized on 17 April 1834 at Glenmore. [5] Mary Walsh, was baptized on 16 July 1836 at Glenmore. [6] Anastatia Walsh, was baptized on 12 Aug. 1839 at Glenmore.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Accused Fenian: Master John Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, Glenmore
Over a month ago one of our readers in Indiana queried if there were many Glenmore Fenians who were forced to flee Ireland for their activities. Danny Dowling related that he was only aware of one person from Glenmore identified as a fenian, John Fitzgerald of Knockbrack, Glenmore. Danny on the first of June 1973 interviewed Mick Gaule, of Killaspy, Slieverue who told Danny that a man known as Master John Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, Glenmore, was a member of the Fenian Movement in 1867. For his association with this organisation he had to flee the country and never returned. Master John Fitzgerald had the place where Paul Fitzgerald lived in 1974. Master John Fitzgerald was a cousin of old Micil Fitzgerald who lived where the late John Fitzgerald of the interviewer’s time lived.
The Fenians
The term fenian or feniasm was “… used indiscriminately to refer to the upsurge of popular ‘nationalist’ expectation among Irish Catholics…” (Comerford, R.V., The Fenians in Context: Irish Politics and Society 1848–82 (Kindle Locations 2970-2973). R.V. Comerford. Kindle Edition.) The Fenians of the 1860’s were inspired by the Young Irelanders and rebellion of 1848. The two most prominent Fenian organisations were established by two of the Young Irelanders involved in the rebellion of 1848. Both fled Ireland and sought safety in France. John O’Mahony (1815-1877) and James Stephens (1825-1901) would work together and separately to form oranisations that would actively promote Irish independence.
NYCity Library
John O’Mahony (1815-1877) was a native of Cork and was the founder of the Fenian Brotherhood in America. O’Mahony left France and settled in the US in 1853. He named his group after the Fianna the legendary warriors of Ancient Ireland. James Stephens (1825-1901) was a native of Kilkenny City. It has been noted that his early political influence was Dr. Robert Cane (1807-1858), a former Mayor of Kilkenny, a physician, a moderate Young Irelander who was jailed for several months in 1848 without charges ever having been made against him. From a Glenmore link perspective, Dr. Robert Cane was the father of the Kilmakevogue Dispensary doctor appointed in 1867, James Butler Norris Cane (c. 1804-1906) https://glenmore-history.com/dr-james-butler-norris-cane-c-1840-1906/.
Stephens remained in France until 1856 when he returned to Ireland and began what he described as a three thousand mile walk around Ireland to meet former Young Irelanders and other nationalists. In 1857 O’Mahony corresponded with Stephens who established on St. Patrick’s Day 1858 the secret Irish Republican Brotherhood in Ireland. Rivalry soon caused friction between the two groups as by 1865 the Fenian Brotherhood had became large and could afford to send arms to Ireland while the Irish Republican Brotherhood struggled. With the financial backing of the American Fenians Stephens published a newspaper called The Irish People commencing in 1863. This newspaper attracted a new generation of nationalists including Jeremiah O’Donovan Rossa, Charles Kickham, Thomas Clarke Luby and John O’Leary.
In the US the Fenian Brotherhood, although a secret society, had a public profile and for the most part engaged in fund raising and other activities without interference from the US government. While the American Civil War (1861-1865) raged Fenian rallies were held in several northern cities. The US Government’s ambivalence toward the American Fenians may have been due to the fact that the British, although professing to condemn slavery, had openly attempted to run the Union blockade of Confederate ports. In exchange for the slave produced cotton of the Confederacy the British sold munitions and other supplies to the South. Additionally, British controlled Canada became a haven for Confederate sympathisers and agents who attempted to burn New York City in November 1864. Some battle hardened Irish American Civil War Union Army veterans splintered from Stephens and led several unsuccessful invasions into Canada. The US Government did little to stop the veterans. The British newspapers in hysterical tones reported on Fenian conspiracies on both sides of the Atlantic.
An uprising was planned in Ireland for the summer of 1865. The plans were discovered and Irish Republican Brother members were arrested and sentenced to prison or transportation to penal colonies in Australia. Immediately, the Irish People newspaper was raided and Luby, one of the editors, and O’Donovan Rossa, the manager, were arrested. O’Donovan Rossa was convicted and sentenced to prison where he defied the prison authorities and was subject to abuse. Stephens was arrested and imprisoned but escaped and again fled to France. The Habeas Corpus Suspension Act was enacted on 17 February 1866 and allowed for the arrest and detention of citizens without trial.
Immediately a large number of persons were arrested and detained without charge or trial. Reports of the abuse of persons arrested and jailed for being involved in the Fenian conspiracy began to be raised in the House of Commons. For questions raised regarding Waterford prisoners see, https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1866/mar/16/ireland-fenian-prisoners-at-waterford#S3V0182P0_18660316_HOC_40.
In searching for newspapers articles concerning the arrest of Master John Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, Glenmore a list of other County Kilkenny arrestees was compiled. It is not an exhaustive list.
(1) Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 10 March 1866: John Kavanagh, relieving officer of Kilkenny, Walkin St.; James Holland, a mason, upper Patrick St.; Wm. Dunphy, housepainter, Walkin St.
(2) Kilkenny Moderator, Wed. 21 March 1866: John Lynch, of Callan; and Patrick Comerford, of Lady’s-well, near Danesfort; Thomas Phelan, Sergeant Tailor of the Kilkenny Fusilier Regiment of Militia, was liberated from custody as he was wrongly arrested for being Thomas Whelan, of Kilkenny.
(3) Kilkenny Moderator, Sat. 30 March 1867: Richard Power and Patrick Murphy, living near Glenmore were arrested by Constable Powell, of Glenmore (who upon retirement became the first postmaster of Glenmore see, https://glenmore-history.com/the-glenmore-post-office-its-rise-and-demise/.)
(4) The Evening Freeman, Wed. 4 April 1866: Mr. Grace, of Thomastown, held in Mountjoy.
(5) Kilkenny Moderator, 1 August 1866: Edmond Coyne, of Callan (released & deported); James Cody, of Callan (released & deported); John Lynch, of Callan, released on surety; Michael Heffernan Dunne (still in prison).
(6) Kilkenny Moderator, 1 June 1866: Loche of Callan; and Downey, formerly of Goresbridge were still detained in Kilkenny gaol.
The Arrest of Master John Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, Glenmore
On Friday the 15th of March 1867 the Waterford Mail reported that Head Constable Brereton, with a party of nine policemen, arrested the previous week a respectable farmer, named John Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, under his Excellency’s warrant. Mr. Fitzgerald was recently a member of the Waterford Board of Guardians, and at the same time filled the office of chairman of the Kilmackevogue Dispensary committee, and was a man of considerable means. The Kilkenny Journal & Leinster Commercial & Literary Advertiser (20 March 1867) reported that on Monday, Head Constable Breton and a body constabulary, of Rosbercon arrested Fitzgerald. The Waterford News and Star, of Friday the 22nd of March 1867 described Fitzgerald as an intelligent well-educated man “holding a large farm.”
In contrast the Kilkenny Moderator of Saturday the 30th of March 1867 reported that Constable Ward, of Kilmacow and Constable Powell, of Glenmore arrested Mr. John Fitzgerald, a comfortable farmer, living at Ballybrack (sic), near Glenmore and three labourers who worked for him. It was rumoured that Fitzgerald was charged with having acted as a Fenian paymaster. Upon his arrest he was sent to the Thomastown Bridewell “pending further orders from Dublin Castle.” The three labourers, were not named in the article and brought before a special sessions at Kilmacow. James Cody, a prisoner previously arrested was also brought to Kilmacow. While Cody was transferred to Waterford gaol the three farm labourers were released. On the 21st Fitzgerald was transferred from Thomastown to the Kilkenny gaol under a warrant from the Lord Lieutenant, under the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act.
On Saturday the 1st of June 1867 it was reported by the Kilkenny Moderator that Fitzgerald was released from custody by his Excellency’s order after entering into recognizance and post £100 along with £50 each from two unnamed sureties. The terms of his release required him to the peace and orderly conduct for the next two years. It is not known whether Fitzgerald stayed in Knockbrack or went to America as reported by Mick Gaule in 1973.
Just before Fitzgerald was released a clemency meeting was held in Kilkenny City for the “unfortunate men” who were sentenced to death for high treason. The Mayor stated that no man should suffer death except for wilful murder. He hoped that the Queen would not blight her reign by the hanging, beheading and quartering of men “whose folly and whose crimes are traceable to the misgovernment of the country, and the persistent refusal of redress.” (Tablet, Sat. 11 May 1867)
By late July 1868 the last of those detained without trial under the Habeas Corpus Suspension Act were released, but there were about 100 Fenian convicts (including twenty– four soldiers sentenced by military tribunals) in jails in Britain and in Western Australia. (Comerford, R.V., The Fenians in Context: Irish Politics and Society 1848–82 (Kindle Locations 3209-3211). R.V. Comerford. Kindle Edition.) O’Donovan Rossa was released and deported to the US in 1870.
The Fenian Photographs
British authorities began taking “mug shots” of convicts in the late 1850’s. After 1865 persons arrested as Fenians were photographed. Two large collections of Fenian photographs survive. The larger, of 600 photographs taken between 1867 and 1872, is held in the National Archives of Ireland. A ‘Form K’ is attached to most of these photographs, to provide a description of the prisoner. Information recorded includes the particulars for arrest or conviction, the detainee’s physical description, age, literacy, religion, marital status, occupation and place of birth and residence.
A second, smaller collection of Fenian photographs, ‘The convicted and untried political prisoners in Mountjoy’, compiled in 1866, is now held in the NYC Public Library digital collections on-line. This album contains 86 portraits (4in.x3in.), mounted four to a page. The photos of all the political prisoners are identified by name. Fiona Fitzsimmons has noted that, 31% of the Fenian prisoners are recorded as having served in the American Civil War. Despite the endorsement on the title-page, that the photos are of Mountjoy prisoners, Fiona Fitzsimmons has discovered that many of these prisoners were actually held in Kilmainham and elsewhere. See, Fitzsimmons, “Kindred Lines: Prison Photographs,” available at https://www.historyireland.com/volume-24/kindred-lines-prison-photographs/.
The two photograph albums held by the New York City Library originally belonged to Sir Thomas Aiskew Larcom (1801-1879), the permanent Under Secretary for Ireland from 1853 to 1869. Harriet Fyffe Richardson (b.1872), author of Pioneer Quakers (1940), provided the albums to Stanford University at an unknown date; the New York City Library acquired them in 1953.The contents of the two albums were digitalized and made accessible online in 2016. To view the collection Mountjoy “mugshots” of the Fenian political prisoners held by the New York City Library see, https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/search/index?utf8=%E2%9C%93&keywords=fenians.
Without being able to view the records held by the Irish Archives (closed again due to COVID 19) it is not known if this photo is Master John Fitzgerald, of Knockbrack, Glenmore. Given his dress, compared to the other Fenian political prisoners, it seems likely that this is the correct photo.
For a concise account of the importance of the Fenians in inspiring the 1916 Rising see, McNamara, Robert. (2020, August 26). The Fenian Movement and the Inspiring Irish Rebels. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/fenian-movement-4049929.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Prosecution of Glenmore Wedding Guests in 1917
On the 1st of November 1917 the provisions of the Motor Restriction Order came into effect. Britain was engaged in the First World War and the Easter Rising of 1916 was still fresh in the minds of authorities. Twenty-seven days later three persons who drove to a Glenmore wedding were arrested and tried for breaching the Motor Restriction Order of 1917. It is doubtful that when the bride and groom were preparing for their wedding that they had any idea that their wedding would make the news in such a fashion.
Although it was stated in the Order that there was a “need for economy in the use of petrol,” the debates in the House of Commons 7 months earlier, on the 24th of April 1917, revealed that the MP’s were concerned about the number of convictions for driving at excessive speed against drivers going and coming from race meetings. It was noted that a feeling existed in the country against the use of motor cars for purely pleasure purposes at a time of national crisis. The Home Secretary was asked to take immediate steps to prohibit the supply of petrol to owners of motor cars using them for purely pleasure purposes. The Home Secretary responded that the Petrol Control Committee had already ceased issuing licenses for the supply of petrol to private cars not being used for purpose of “national importance.” (HC Deb, 24 April 1917, vol. 92, c. 2223)
The Motor Restriction Order 1917 provided that no petrol or petrol substitute could be used for the purpose of driving any motor vehicle or motor boat except as authorised in the Order within the terms of a motor spirit license issued by the Petrol Control Department of the Board of Trade. Allowed uses included: the conveyance of a person or goods to or from the nearest railway where no other means of conveyance was reasonably available: for the purpose of a profession, trade or business; for necessary household affairs; funerals; and life saving purposes etc.
On the 28th of November 1917 Glenmore Parish Priest, Father Holohan, married Mary Hynes, of Aylwardstown, Glenmore and Edward Whyte, a farmer from Coolnamuck, Inistioge. The best man at the wedding was Thomas Flood and the bridesmaid was Bridget Dreehan. The bride was the daughter of Aylwardstown farmer, Martin Hynes and his wife Anastasia Hynes née Aylward. The bride was born on the 15th of January 1887. The bridegroom was Edward Whyte the son of Thomas Whyte and his wife Catherine Whyte née Meany. The bridegroom was born the 28th of November 1884.
The New Ross Standard reported on Friday the 14th of December 1917 that at the New Ross Petty Sessions three wedding guests were prosecuted for having motor cars at the Whyte-Hynes wedding in Glenmore. The magistrates hearing the cases were Captain D.G. Howlett (presiding) and Arthur J. Doyle and Pat Bolger. The defendants were Joseph Lynch a veterinary surgeon from New Ross, P. A. Jeffares, New Ross, motor and engineering company, Peter Gahan, of Priory-street, of New Ross. All three defendants were represented by Solicitor J.R. Colfer.
Head Constable O’Connell, of Thomastown, prosecuted the cases and Constable Healey, of Glenmore was the arresting officer. Constable Healey testified that on the 28th of November he was on duty at Graiguenakill, Glenmore when he saw Joseph Lynch driving a wedding party from Glenmore Village to Aylwardstown, a distance of about two miles. In Lynch’s car was the bride, bridegroom, best man and bridesmaid. Afterwards he saw Lynch with the car at the house of the bride’s father, Martin Hynes, in Aylwardstown. Constable Healey told Lynch that he had committed an offence. Lynch replied that he was not aware that he had committed an offence. Constable Healey asked for Lynch’s petrol license which Lynch admitted he forgot in another coat. Head Constable O’Connell conceded that prior to the court date Lynch had produced the petrol license. After a lengthy argument concerning the summons being faulty Head Constable O’Connell clarified that the offence was for the defendant “using motor spirit” and asked the magistrates to “inflict a substantial penalty.”
Solicitor Colfer then began a spirited defence arguing that there was no offence. Lynch was a friend of both parties and was an ordinary guest at the wedding. The wedding party hired two motor cars for the wedding, but when they came out of the Glenmore church the hired drivers were not there. The wedding party was standing in front of the church “surrounded by a crowd of beggars wanting gratuities, and the position of the bride and bridegroom and their friends was awkward with this crowd around them.”
Danny Dowling during an interview of Mrs. Alice Power née Curran, of Jamestown, Glenmore recorded the local practice of the “Cee Caw.” School children and beggars would congregate at the Glenmore Church gates at weddings because money would be thrown into the air. When the money was fired into the air it often resulted in abuse and fisticuffs as all the assembled would scramble after the money. This practice continued in Glenmore until the early 1950’s. A review of the Glenmore parish register revealed that there was another wedding held earlier on the 28th of November 1917. John Connolly, a laborer from Rochestown, Glenmore married Bridget Roche of Scartnamore, Glenmore. Thus with two weddings on the same day it is likely there was a large group assembled for the Cee Caw when the Whyte-Hynes wedding party emerged from the church.
Lynch volunteered to drive the wedding party to the Hynes’s home. Solicitor Colfer argued that any reasonable person would have done so including the magistrates. Solicitor Colfer also pointed out that the Order only came out in October, and “a person would want to carry around with him in his car a regular lawyer’s library to try to comply with the regulations.” “Surely the fact of a man taking to himself a wife might reasonably be looked upon as something done in connection with household affairs.”
Solicitor Colfer then drew the magistrates’ attention to a paragraph in the Irish Times on the previous day. The Athlone magistrates had a similar case where a person was charged with violating the Order when he attended a wedding. The Athlone magistrates dismissed the case. Solicitor Colfer also noted a similar case in Bray which also resulted in the magistrates dismissing the case. “In those cases the magistrates had shown common sense in refusing to convict, and refusing to be gulled into turning people into criminals for a breach of those stupid and ill promulgated orders.” With the decisions of two other courts before the New Ross magistrates, he asked the magistrates to exercise common sense and put a reasonable construction on the case. Solicitor Colfer concluded that it would be a disgrace to convict his client, and “under the circumstances of the case the magistrates would be failing in their duty if they did not mark their disapproval of such proceedings by dismissing the case.”
Head Constable O’Connell was not deterred and argued that he had authority that attending a wedding is not a necessary household affair, but upon Solicitor Colfer demanding the legal authority it was not produced. One of the magistrates pointed out to the Head Constable that the Order allowed persons to use petrol to attend funerals. Ultimately the Chairman announced that the case against Defendant Lynch was dismissed on the summons. The Head Constable not taking the hint replied that he would bring the case again on a new summons within a fortnight.
The other cases arising from the same wedding were called and the Chairman said he thought that the best thing to do was to dismiss the other cases. Head Constable O’Connell demanded to know on what grounds the magistrates were dismissing without hearing any evidence. The Chairman replied that the summonses were wrongly stated. The Head Constable O’Connell requested the magistrates to state a case. Solicitor Colfer interjected, “This thing is becoming absurd. You would really think those men were being tried for their lives.”
The Head Constable called Constable Collins, of Glenmore, who testified he was on duty at Graiguenakill on the 28th of November and saw a motor car belonging to the New Ross Motor and Engineering Co., containing 5 ladies driven by the driver. They went in the direction of where the wedding was held. Constable Healy was recalled and gave evidence that on the same date he saw a motor belonging to the New Ross Engineering Co. containing Messrs. John Flood, The Rower; John Hynes, Aylwardstown; Richard Hanrahan, New Ross; and John Meaney, Inistioge. He afterwards saw the car at Mr. Hynes’ house. The explanation the defendants gave was that they didn’t know they were committing an offence. Mr. Colfer said he had very little to say in those eases beyond what he had said in the case of Mr. Lynch. He stated that it was really absurd to accuse people of criminally breaking a law of which they had no knowledge “and it would be a monstrous thing to inflict fines in such cases.”
The Chairman announced that the bench had decided to dismiss the cases. Head Constable asked on what grounds the cases were being dismissed and asked the court to state a case. The magistrates refused to state a case. Undeterred Head Constable O’Connell queried the grounds on which the magistrates refused to state a case. Mr. Bolger, J.P. interjected and reminded the Head Constable that it was not necessary for the magistrates to state their reasons for dismissing the cases. According to the newspaper article the magistrates then dismissed the cases “on the merits” rather than on a defect in the summons, and thereby ensured that the defendants could not be subject to another prosecution from the zealous Head Constable arising from having motor cars at the Whyte-Hynes wedding.
A quick review of newspapers in Britain revealed that in 1917 most of the arrests under the Order reported in the newspapers were for people driving to racing events.
The Irish Petty Sessions Court drawing (c) Illustrated News (1853).
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Public Execution of Henry “Bounce” Walsh in 1847
In our last blog we outlined the local story passed down in Glenmore concerning Henry “Bounce” Walsh, of Knockbrack, Glenmore, as well as the contemporary newspapers accounts of his 1847 murder trial. Today, we will outline the circumstances concerning his execution.
Henry “Bounce” Walsh was convicted of murdering John Walsh in July 1847. The Kilkenny Journal, and Leinster Commercial and Literary Advertiser, of Saturday the 31st of July 1847 on its front page, covered the murder trial. The judge charged the jury, who retired and returned in less than half hour with verdict of guilty. The prisoner heard the verdict with apparent indifference, and was removed from the bar to await his sentence at the end of the assizes. Throughout the trial it was reported that the accused seemed quite indifferent to the proceedings.
On Friday the 30th of July 1847, Henry “Bounce” Walsh appeared for his sentencing with two others, James Daniel and James Larkin, who were convicted during the assizes of the murder of Arthur William Prim. The trial judge addressed all three convicted men together and told them, “I cannot hold out to any of you prisoners, the slightest hope of a change in the sentences that the law obliges me to pronounce. I have no discretion whatsoever…I would conjure then to employ the short time that remains between the present moment and that in which they are to leave this world, in making their peace with God—repent for the crime that they have committed—and in the hope of that mercy which, through the merits of our Saviour, the Almighty, will show the repentant—in endeavouring to obtain the peace in the next world which they have forfeited in this one…” The convicted man Larkin requested of the judge, “The longest day you can give my lord.” The judge replied that he would provide sufficient time for the convicted murders to seek God’s forgiveness.
Upon hearing his sentence of death, Henry “Bounce” Walsh asked the judge if his father could have his body. The judge replied that was not possible as the law required that he be buried in the gaol yard. Henry “Bounce” Walsh then stated that Jones and another man in the courtroom that he pointed at were responsible for his death. It is not clear who Henry “Bounce” Walsh indicated were responsible for his death sentence. In the newspaper accounts there is no mention of a juror, witness or prosecutor named Jones.
The date of execution for Larkin and Daniel was set for the 25th of August and Henry “Bounce” Walsh was to be executed on the 1st of September. The Kerry Evening Post on Wednesday the 8th of September 1847 reported that Henry “Bounce” Walsh and the other two condemned men, Larkin and Daniel, had on “Monday week” attempted a daring escape from the jail. Given the fact that Larkin and Daniel were hanged on Wednesday the 25th of August the unsuccessful jail break involving the three convicted men, if it occurred, must have occurred at that time or prior to the 25th of August. It was also reported that after the unsuccessful jail break Henry “Bounce” Walsh was exemplary and penitent. “His attention to his religious duties has been intense and unwavering.” It was reported that he regretted involvement in the failed jail break and stated that Larkin had enticed his involvement. When he heard that the other two convicted men had been executed he is alleged to have stated that his mind was at ease and he could devote himself to “making peace with an offended Deity.”
In addition to the alleged jail break another unusual aspect of the newspaper account provides that as he was being prepared for his execution the condemned man joined in the prayers with “great fervency” his “knowledge of English was very imperfect.” An article in the Waterford Mail on the 8th of September stated that when he entered gaol he did not know the Lord’s Prayer, but by the time of his execution he recited it with fervor. It is not clear how much English Henry “Bounce” Walsh understood. For a fascinating account of the impact of the failure to provide interpretation and translation services to Irish speakers see, Margaret Kelleher, The Maamtrasna Murders: Language, Life & Death in Nineteenth Century Ireland (2018).
Henry “Bounce” Walsh was publicly executed on the 1st of September 1847 in front of the Kilkenny gaol in what was described as a mis-managed hanging. His hanging was covered in a number of newspapers across Ireland and England. The below account is taken from the front page of The Waterford Mail, published on Wednesday, the 8th of September 1847.
Execution of HENRY WALSH, (alias BOUNCE), for the MURDER at BISHOP’S HALL
On Wednesday another of those disgusting and barbarous exhibitions, a public execution, took place in front of our [Kilkenny] county prison. Walsh the unfortunate convict let under sentence of death at our last assizes for the murder of a man, also named Walsh, at Bishop’s Hall, expiated that fearful crime by the hands of the executioner. . .
About half-past one o’clock on Wednesday, the unfortunate criminal made his appearance in the corridor, preceded by the High and Under Sheriffs, and the governor of the prison—gentlemen who, we understand exhibited the greatest humanity and kindness to the unfortunate culprit, and throughout were most anxious that all the wretched men who suffered the extreme punishment of the law, should have every comfort and attention consistent with the duty and discipline of the prison, and the miserable condition of the criminals.
His step was firm and unshaken, and his countenance, serene, the colour remaining in his cheeks, and his eyes bright and steady. He joined with his two attending clergymen, the Rev. Messrs. Maher and Hennessy, in prayer, with great fervency, though his knowledge of English was very imperfect. On reaching the press room he prayed with them for a length of time, repeating the responses to the several litanies and penitential psalms with apparent devotion, particularly such portions as from the greater simplicity of the language he appeared to understand. The by-standers, who had heard that on his first entering the prison he did not know the Lord’s prayer, were much surprised at the decency, fervour, and firmness which he displayed all through. When told by the hangman to get up, he did so with readiness, displaying no weakness whatsoever; and he gave that functionary every facility in his power whilst pinioning his arms. He then walked forward boldly on the drop, having the usual white cap over his face, and being placed in the proper position, after standing a moment or two, the unhappy culprit turned his head half round to the pressroom, and exclaimed—“Will I be let spake (sic) a few words? There was no answer, as his meaning was not at once caught. He then repeated firmly—“Will I be let spake a few words, gentlemen?” It was at once intimated to him that he might do so; when he said in a satisfied voice, “that’s right.”
After obtaining permission to speak, the prisoner remained for some time beating his breast, and exclaiming in a low tone, “Lord have mercy upon me. He then in a loud and distinct voice, and leaning forward over the drop, exclaimed in Irish, “Wilshiev-in-shin?” (Are you there?) There being no answer he said in English—“Boys, are ye all there?” More than one voice from outside exclaimed, “we are, we are.” The unhappy man then continued as follows:–“Now, I’m goin’ to die, an’ I’m innocent. An’ I hope I haven’t a lie in my mouth goin’ before my God, bringing my poor soul before him. I wasn’t there, or hadn’t hand, act or part in it. I came up after—if I had been five minutes sooner I’d have saved his life and my own. I forgive all that swore against me,” (here he mentioned various persons by soubriquets, “living,” he said, “in Sliev-rhu,” and “father and brothers,” he continued, “don’t have any revenge in your hearts against them—I forgive them all. An’ boys, let ye all keep from bad company and drinkin’—and iv I was said by me true love I wouldn’t be here today. Let ye all pray for my poor soul (murmurs outside.) “An’ God be wid ye all now, neighbours.” According to other newspaper accounts the crowd cried out, “Lord, have mercy on your soul.”
Here the fatal bolt was drawn, but from the mismanagement the poor culprit, instead of being thrown off, fell on his back upon the board, so that the hangman was obliged to push him out from behind; and from the short and gradual fall the wretched man struggled very hard for some moments, appearing to suffer most poignant agony. During his struggles his father and two brothers who were on the green, beneath the drop, vented their grief in loud cries and exclamations. We were sorry to perceive that a large crowd had assembled to witness this brutalising exhibition, and that women formed a considerable proportion of the multitude, and some of those of a class which though humble, we had hoped did not contain the depraved or indelicate.
We are not advocates for the total abolition of capital punishments—in murder cases alone we think it necessary, but we agree with those who contend for private executions. Should such a barbarous “treat” we again offered to our citisens (sic) a more efficient apparatus of death should be provided than the strangling process which disgraced the execution on Wednesday. Kilkenny Moderator
It is not clear how much of the above account is accurate. For example, a condemned man’s arms were generally pinioned behind his back, yet in the account it is alleged that he beat his chest after his arms were tied. Almost every newspaper that covered the execution in detail condemned public executions. However, it was not until the Capital Punishment (Amendment) Act 1868 that executions were restricted to take place within the confines of prison walls. Shortly before this execution a short article appeared in the Kilkenny Journal and Leinster Commercial Advertiser (18 August 1847) concerning the number of capital convictions and death sentences imposed as reported in the House of Commons. For ease a chart of the information is provided below.
| Years Covered | Persons Convicted of Capital Crimes | Persons Executed |
| 5 yrs prior to 1826 | 5,286 | 307 |
| Next 5 years | 7,077 | 304 |
| Next 5 years | 3,877 | 175 |
| Next 5 years | 707 | 44 |
| 5 years ending in 1846 | 304 | 56 |
It is difficult to believe today that under the common law in the 19th century capital offences included a number of crimes in addition to murder such as rape and even some thefts. For an online list of Irish executions from 1831 to 1899 please see, Richard Clark. From this list persons executed in Tipperary after 1847 were reviewed but there is no apparent link to the Glenmore oral tradition that the real killer was discovered and executed in Tipperary.
Over the past week we received several queries concerning the victim, the executed Henry “Bounce” Walsh and possible links to local Walsh families.
The Victim—John Walsh
Danny Dowling yesterday was not able to shed any light on the murder victim John Walsh. Because the witnesses stated that he turned off the road near the Black Corner it is assumed that he was a resident of Kilmacow parish. There is nothing contained in any newspaper account regarding the age of the victim, whether he was married, had children, or was supporting a widow mother etc. John Walsh was a common name and without a townland or other information we have no way of determining which John Walsh was the murder victim.
The Link—Ned “the Mason” Walsh & Henry “Bounce” Walsh?
Danny stated that he believed that Henry “Bounce” Walsh lived in Knockbrack based upon what he was told over the years by Glenmore residents. Danny believes that this Walsh family, or part of this family, eventually moved to Haggard as this is where Ned “the Mason” Walsh and his brother Michael were born and raised.
The 1901 Census provides that Ned was 21(c. 1880) and Michael was 25 (c. 1876). Thus the men claiming kinship to Henry “Bounce” Walsh were born about 30 years after his execution. The parents of these two brothers were Michael Walsh (bapt. 9 Apr. 1841 at Haggard) and Margaret Walsh née Moore (c. 1849). Michael Walsh and Margaret Moore were married at Glenmore on 1 August 1870. Michael’s father is listed as Michael Walsh, deceased. Michael Walsh (1841) was the son of Michael Walsh and Mary Walsh née Aylward. Michael Walsh and Mary Walsh née Aylward were married at Glenmore on 12 October 1832 and the record indicates that they were both from Hagard (sic). Unfortunately the parents of the bride and groom are not recorded. The only Walsh listed in the 1833 Griffith’s Valuation in “Higgart” (sic) was Michael Walsh who had 21 acres. Thus, it appears that “the Mason” Walshes were in Haggard at least fifteen years before the hanging. We have not ruled out a family relationship, but we have yet to uncover the relationship link. It could be that Michael Walsh married into Haggard and was a brother, uncle or cousin etc. to Henry “Bounce” Walsh.
Other Possible Family Links?
Griffith’s Valuation was conducted in Knockbrach in 1829, and there were no Walshes recorded there. There is no Walsh listed in Coolnaleen, but there is a Michael Walsh in Ardbeg who had 42 acres. Also, in nearby Cat’s Rock, Walter and John Walsh had a joint holding of 120 acres. Danny explained that Ardbeg was the old name for Coolnaleen and just as the Catholic parishes changed in Ossory in 1842 the names of various areas have changed. Unfortunately, there is no obvious baptismal record for a Henry “Bounce” Walsh. No clues are provided in the newspapers as to his age. With respect to his family the newspapers reported that his father and two brothers attended his execution, but no further information was provided.
Lastly, an inquest into the death of a Henry Walsh, aged about 31, was held in Parkstown, Glenmore in December 1864. (Kilkenny Journal and Leinster Commercial Advertiser, 17 December 1864). The jury ruled that this Henry Walsh died of natural causes. It appears that he was born about 1833 and thus was about 14 when Henry “Bounce” Walsh was executed. Could this man who died in 1864 be a cousin or nephew? There are two potential baptismal records for the Henry Walsh that died in 1864. [1] Henry Walsh, baptized 11 March 1831 in Glenmore, the son of John Walsh and Antice Gill. [2] Henry Walsh, baptized 4 June 1835, at Rochestown, Mooncoin, son of Philip Walsh and Mary Smith.
Hopefully a reader will be able to provide further or different information concerning Henry “Bounce” Walsh.
Blog update—Long obituaries are being moved onto their own page which is located under the “Roots” button on the home page. Short obituaries and death notices will remain on the relevant family pages.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
The Murder Trial of Henry “Bounce” Walsh, of Knockbrach, Glenmore
Local Account
In November 1955, Pat Coady, of Ballycroney, Glenmore told Danny Dowling of a murder case that had taken place over a hundred years previously and was still remembered in Glenmore. Pat Coady informed Danny that Bounce Walsh, of Knockbrack, Glenmore was hanged in the wrong for the Black Corner murder. Further details were provided in November 1977 by Nicholas Forristal, of the Mill, Gaiguenakill. He stated that Bounce Walsh’s real name was Henry Walsh. Henry Walsh was executed for the murder of a local man at what is now known as the Black Corner which is opposite the entrance to Bishop’s Hall. Henry Walsh was in Waterford and when coming home with either his horse or ass and cart, stopped and gave a lift to a farm laborer who was employed somewhere around Bigwood. During the journey this man asked Bounce for a loan of his penknife to cut a pipe full of tobacco. Bounce gave it to him and forgot about it. He left the farm labourer at his destination, and he went off home. As it afterwards transpired, the man lay in waiting for the murdered man with whom he had a row earlier and killed him. The murderer then left Bounce’s knife which had its owner’s initials stamped on it, beside the body. The murderer then shouted “don’t kill me Bounce,” and a local farmer working in a nearby field heard the shout.
The farmer who heard the shout was a Doherty from Rathnasmolagh. Doherty afterwards testified what he heard, and with Bounce’s knife found alongside the body, Bounce was arrested, charged with murder, tried, convicted and executed. It was discovered afterwards that the farm labourer had already murdered a man in Co. Tipperary, and was a fugitive from justice in that county. The farm labourer was eventually arrested, tried for murder and executed. Before he died he confessed to the murder for which Bounce Walsh was executed. Bounce Walsh was related to Ned and Mick Walsh, the masons of Haggard, who provided details of the story to Nicholas Forristal. It was said that the locals afterwards never liked the Doherty man.
Contemporary Newspaper Accounts
A newspaper search revealed that during the Kilkenny Assizes in July 1847, Henry “Bounce” Walsh was convicted of murdering John Walsh. The Kilkenny Journal, and Leinster Commercial and Literary Advertiser, of Saturday the 31st of July 1847 on its front page covered the murder trial. In 1847 the country was in the midst of the Great Famine and it was noted that several jurors had sent to the court doctor statements explaining that they could not attend due to illness and fever. Eventually twelve men were selected and the trial commenced.
The first witness called for the State was Peter Doherty who testified that he, his mother, the deceased and others were in Halligan’s pub Easter Monday evening after the Waterford fair. The defendant was there and was talking to Michael Boyle. A group comprising the witness, his mother, the victim (John Walsh) and Michael Boyle left the pub walking home. Although he insisted that none of the group was drunk the victim fell in the road and his mother picked up the victim’s hat. She asked Michael Boyle to help her get the victim up onto his feet and he declined to help. Bounce Walsh who had not been with the party, was three or four yards away. The victim left the group to go up the path to his house. About “40 perches” up the road Peter Doherty testified that he heard a “bawl” and “Don’t kill me Bounce.” He testified that he wanted to turn back, but Michael Boyle dissuaded him. The group went to a house where a wake was being held and Doherty noticed that Boyle had deceased’s stick at the wake house. He did not leave the wake until after 3 a.m.
The defendant’s barrister cross-examined Doherty who admitted that he was in goal for twelve months for attempted rape. The attempted rape case was before Mr. O’Gorman, and Doherty took the pledge to stop drinking. Doherty explained that he broke his pledge when a doctor gave him leave to drink to cure a tooth ache. He admitted he drank the previous night, but could not say whether it was for his tooth or for himself he drank. He bizarrely went on to explain that the tooth was pulled, and because he is married he will hand the tooth to his eldest son as an heirloom, if he can find it. In a response to a question from a juror, Doherty stated that Bounce Walsh and Michael Boyle went out of Halligan’s in advance of witness and his mother. He admitted that he did not tell anyone at the wake regarding what he heard and did not tell the magistrate when he was questioned immediately after the murder that he heard “don’t kill me Bounce.”
The next witness was Michael Boyle who testified that he knew the defendant, the victim and Peter Doherty. On Easter Monday last, in Halligan’s he heard the victim, in the hearing of the defendant, bargaining about a cow. He testified after passing Foley’s a little stone got under the victim’s foot and he took a tumble. The defendant was within two or three yards of Ellen Doherty when she was picking up the victim’s hat. Ellen Doherty asked Boyle to help the victim up, but Boyle said he refused telling Ellen that he would not like to have anything to do with the victim on account of having heard him talking about money. He didn’t want to be blamed if something happened to the money. Boyle and Peter Doherty continued. Boyle testified that Foley’s was the last place where he saw the defendant. At Baron’s Lodge Doherty’s mother bid good night and safe home to the victim, Johnny Walsh. Shortly after leaving the victim they heard “two bawls.” Boyle did not hear anything but the bawls. He described the defendant as having on that night an old pair of pataloons, and old blue bodycoat. When questioned by the Court, Boyd stated that it was not a very dark night.
Ellen Doherty was the third witness to testify. She testified that on last Easter Monday night she was in company of the victim, Johnny Walsh, until they came to Baron’s lodge. She did not hear any noise after parting with the victim. She testified that she did not hear Boyle say anything in reply when she asked him help the victim up, but admitted that he did not help the man.
Patrick Hackett next testified. He stated that he knows the place where the victim’s body was found. On the night of the murder, Henry “Bounce” Walsh came and bought bread and tea from him. He could not state at what hour the defendant arrived because he had been in bed before the defendant arrived. To get from Foley’s to his place a person would have to pass where the victim’s body was found.
Betsy Murphy, of Coolnaleen, Glenmore testified that on the night of the murder Henry “Bounce” Walsh came to drink tea with her. She did not know the time when he arrived. He brought tea and bread with him that he said he purchased at Hackett’s. He remained with her for an hour and a half. He had a candle and they had tea. He had about 8 or 9 shillings silver and some pence. He told her that he had sold some pigs and was going to sell more pigs. She testified that his manner was as usual. To the Court’s question she stated that she lives about two miles from the scene of the murder and she believed that the defendant lived about a quarter of a mile from her.
Michael O’Neill testified that he was the manager to Mr. Milford, of Waterford. On the 5th of April he gave the victim, John Walsh £4. O’Neill heard of his death the next morning.
Micheal Keating was the last witness called by the State. He testified that he lives in Ballinamooney within about two miles of Waterford. He had only been living there since the third of April just two days before the murder. Prior to this he lived at Ballykeoghan, (Kilmacow) about six miles from Waterford. He testified that he had been working on the public works, and that made him move. He stated that on Easter Monday night he went out, but did not know at what time. It was a bright night when he went out leaving his wife, three sons and a daughter at home. He testified that he was going to the house at Ballykeoghan “to throw down the house that he had lived in” as required by his landlord. He stated that he went at night in order to be back at his work next morning. At Mr. Baron’s gate he heard a bawl and went into the field to get closer. He described the noise as being similar to the bawl of a calf or yearling that was being killed. Thirty of forty yards away he saw a man striking another man. He got closer and leaned across the ditch and saw the defendant striking the other man with a lump. After the defendant left he came out and the “body was dead.” He went home terrified. To answer questions posed by jurors he stated that he could not distinguish anything the two men said because dogs were barking. He said that the defendant had a blue coat and corduroy trousers on that night and the moon did not appear. During cross-examination Keating admitted that he did not divulge what he had seen until the 18th of May. He and other men were dismissed from the public works on the 14th of May because James Aylward charged him with breaking an old gate for fire. When he went to confession his confessor told him he would be culpable in the sight of God if he did not tell what he saw.
Perhaps the most damning evidence was a statement alleged to have been made by the defendant after the murder. William Cooke, Resident Magistrate, noted that the defendant was present during his examination of several witnesses. When the Magistate took Bounce’s statement he informed him that it was going to be in writing. Because the statement could be used against as evidence, he cautioned Bounce that he should not “criminate” himself. The statement the defendant provided stated that when he left Foley’s he came upon two men and a woman who had a man on the ground. He named them as Dick Walsh, James Walsh and Dick Walsh’s wife. They swore him to secrecy. He stated he went on to Hackett’s and then onto Betsy Murphy who he was courting. All of the persons named in his statement denied any involvement and had alibis for the night of the murder.
Bounce Walsh was arrested in Waterford on the 7th of April. He had purchased new clothes and the police collected his old clothes from the shop. At the time of his arrest he was drunk and had £1.2.6 and some coppers in his possession. The Dublin Evening Mail, on Monday the 2nd of August 1847 noted that after a great many witnesses were examined to corroborate the facts on which the prosecution rested, Mr. Howard opened the case for the defendant in an able and energetic speech. He called the previous landlord of Michael Keating, who denied knowledge of any agreement to level the house at Ballykeoghan.
Obviously the account that was orally passed down in Glenmore regarding a knife is incorrect. Next week we shall present the rest of the story as found in contemporary newspapers.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh
Glenmore 1916: Stolen Butter, a Mysterious Death, a local WWI Pilot and the Wrong Man Summoned to Court
Recently a reader sent a link to a file in the National Archives concerning a claim made by the Glenmore Co-operative to the military and then to the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee 1916. This Committee operated for ten months processing claims for property losses incurred due to the 1916 Rising. In a nutshell 9 boxes of Glenmore Co-op butter were stolen from the Amien St. railway station [Connolly Station] in Dublin on or about the 24th of April 1916. In attempting to locate newspaper articles concerning the stolen butter we came across a number of newspaper articles concerning Glenmore events and people in turbulent 1916.
Stolen Glenmore Butter
On 22 April 1916, 16 boxes of Glenmore Co-op butter were handed to the Dublin and SE Railway at Aylwardstown, Glenmore. The following day the consigned butter arrived at the Amien St. Station, Dublin. It was Easter and the butter could not be transferred to the Great Northern Railway that day. On Easter Monday (24 April 1916) the British Military ordered the Railway Company’s staff to leave and the military took possession of the station. When the staff left the full consignment of butter was there, but when the staff returned 9 boxes of butter were missing. The railway informed Glenmore Co-op that the military commandeered the butter.
On 28 July 1916 Glenmore Co-op’s solicitor, P.A. Murphy, of O’Connell St., Waterford wrote to the Major General, of the Irish Command, outlined the above facts, and demanded £35.2.0 to cover the loss of the 9 boxes of butter. The military refused to accept any responsibility in the matter and referred the claim to the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee 1916. James O’Donovan, the Glenmore Creamery manager, duly filed a claim on 14 August. He stated in the claim that 9 boxes of butter consigned to C. Coats, upper Arthur St., Belfast were part of a consignment of 16 boxes and were damaged by the military authorities whilst in possession of the Amien St. Station, Dublin. In November 1916 the Property Losses Committee recommended that the claim of £35.2.0 should be paid to the Glenmore Co-op Creamery for the “looting” of the boxes of butter by “insurgents.”
This link will take you to the Property Losses (Ireland) Committee 1916 file held by the National Archives concerning the Glenmore butter claim. http://centenaries.nationalarchives.ie/centenaries/plic/results.jsp?surname=&location=&title=&business_name=Glenmore%20Cooperative%20Dairy%20Society%20Limited&search=Search
The Mystery Surrounding the Death of Peter Forristal, the Mill, Graiguenakill (1889-1916)
In the New Ross Standard on Friday, the 19th of May 1916, on page 6, an article details the annual meeting of the Glenmore Co-operative Creamery where the accounts for 1915 were approved. Items discussed during the meeting included the recent purchase of a cattle weigh bridge and shedding for storage at the Creamery as well as the heightened shipping costs. The increased shipping costs were due to the enormous loss of ships as a result of the German submarine policy. Nothing concerning the Glenmore butter loss in April 1916 was mentioned.
In the column to the left of the Glenmore Creamery Report is the following little statement placed within farming advertisements. “Returned Home—Some young men from the district who were at business in Dublin have returned home during the week for a rest after the recent disturbances in the capital,” (New Ross Standard, Friday 19 May 1916, p. 6).
Just below the Glenmore Creamery article is the following article regarding Peter Forristal, of the Mill, Graiguenakill.
“NEW ROSS MAN MISSING. SUPPOSED TO BE DROWNED. The river at New Ross was dragged on Wednesday in search of the body of Peter Forrestal, believed to be drowned on the previous night. He was son of Mr. P. Forrestal, farmer, Ballyverneen, near Glenmore, and came up the river on a small boat on Tuesday with fish for New Ross. In the early part of the day it seems he took some drink and became noisy in the street. He was arrested and was detained in the police barracks until about five o’clock in the evening. After being let out he was seen down round the quay, and at about 9:30 that night some men at the Grand Canal steps heard a noise in the water, followed by what appeared to be a groan. Captain Ryder and others made an exhaustive search, but no trace, of the body was found up to Wednesday afternoon. During Wednesday a further search was made. It is surmised he went aboard the vessel “Tom Raner,” and on trying to reach his boat fell into the water one of his brothers was drowned some years ago off a boat coming up the river. The sincerest sympathy is felt with his parents and family” (New Ross Standard, Friday 19 May 1916, p. 6).
The following week the New Ross Standard reported that the body was recovered and corrected a lot of the information it incorrectly reported on the 19th.
“NEW ROSS DROWNING CASE. The body of the young man Peter Forrestal, of Graiguenakill, who drowned at New Ross in the early part of last week, was found at Garranbehy sometime on Monday morning by Patk. Fitzgerald, High-street, and John Doyle, Irishtown, fishermen. Sergeant Byrne, Rosbercon, communicated with the Coroner for South Kilkenny, but he happened to be away, from home, and Messrs. H.R. Hamilton, J.P., and A. J. Doyle, J.P., acted in his absence, and after hearing the particulars decided that an arrest was not necessary. It is surmised that the deceased lost his life whilst endeavouring to get into his boat from a coal vessel anchored in the harbour at 9 of 9:30 o’clock in the night. It is stated that on that evening he had his tea at Rosbercon. It appears he had not been at home for the past three months, and came to New Ross on that morning on a small boat. The sincerest sympathy is felt with his parents and family” (New Ross Standard, Friday 26 May 1916).
Peter Forristal was born on 27 March 1889 and was the son of Patrick Forristal and Margaret Forristal née Cardiff. He was a brother of William Forristal who was one of the Glenmore men who drowned in 1899. See, https://glenmore-history.com/a-double-drowning-at-rochestown-point-in-1899/ . No inquest was held and no death cert was filed for Peter Forristal in 1916. No further information was provided concerning where Peter Forristal had been in the three months prior to his death or concerning the short statement on the same page of the newspaper that young men from the district who were at business in Dublin returned home (during the week of the drowning) for a rest after the recent disturbances in the capital. No clarity is provided regarding how or why Peter Forristal was identified as the person who went into the river at New Ross on the 16th of May. Apparently there were no eye witnesses. Witnesses heard sounds and somehow Peter Forristal was identified as a person who was supposed drowned. The newspapers of the time are full of lists of men who were detained and arrested across the country after the Rising, yet there is no information as to why Peter Forristal was released from custody hours before his death if he had been, in fact, arrested earlier in the day.
The articles reporting the drowning are not similar to other drownings reported in the newspaper in the early years of the 20th century. The Peter Forristal articles lack the details found in other drownings reported. For example, who identified the body as being Peter Forristal? Perhaps the readers were expected to read between the lines, or perhaps the restrictions on the newspapers after the Rising were such that newspapers could not query deaths of persons released from police custody who end up in a river.
Irish Independent, Thur. 7 Sept. 1916–SITUATIONS VACANT.
WANTED, Man to follow Threshing Engine, also Man to take charge of Threshing Mill, for season. Apply to Glenmore Co-operative Threshing Society, Glenmore, Co. Kilkenny, stating Wages and qualifications.
New Ross Standard, Fri. 11 Aug. 1916–A One Bicycle Crash
POLICEMAN INJURED Whilst Const. Collins, Glenmore, was cycling from Glenmore to Mullinavat last week his bicycle got caught in a rut in the road and he was pitched forward and rendered temporarily unconscious. He was attended by the priest and doctor and was taken to hospital.
Mistaken Identity
Danny Dowling has explained that due to the number of people in the parish with the same name nick names were bestowed and whole families often had surnames that were not their proper surname. For example, Jim Brien was actually Jim Fitzgerald. Danny’s notebooks are full of notations that “his real name” was … In Glenmore all Whelans are Phelans. The following case reported in the newspaper in 1916 involved John Whelan, of Mullinahone being summoned for something he did not do.
“CASE AT NEW ROSS When the name of John Whelan, Mullinahone, Glenmore, for being drunk and disorderly was called at the New Ross Petty Sessions, a young man came forward on the witness table, and said that he was not the man at all. He said he had been served with a summons for the offence. Sergeant O’Sullivan—This is not the man at all that was drunk and disorderly. The man gave his name as John Whelan, of Mullinahone. A Glenmore constable gave evidence, that be served the summons on John Whelan, the man who appeared in court. Mr. Whelan—I am not the man at all, and it has caused me great inconvenience to come here. District Inspector McLean—We must only withdraw the prosecution. Mr. Whelan said there was no other man of that name in Mullinahone, and Sergeant O’Sullivan said he would know the man that was drunk and disorderly if he saw him. Mr. Griffin, R.M. (to Mr. Whelan) It was very nice of you to come to the court to-day. You showed great respect for the court by coming. We will dismiss the case on the merits. It must be understood that we are not blaming the police at all. They were led into this error by another person. They issued the summons on the name that was given to them.” (New Ross Standard, Fri. 1 Sept. 1916)
Glenmore WWI Pilot: Lt. Michael Keegan
In our post on 15 February 2020 we highlighted Mick Keegan, who ranaway as a teenager to join the army, became a WWI Veteran and Ross Publican. The post was based on the 1980 interview Danny Dowling recorded of Dan Doyle concerning his time on the railway. Dan Doyle related the story of Mick Keegan who was the son of the Aylwardstown, Glenmore stationmaster. In 1916 three articles concerning Mick Keegan were found in the New Ross Standard. Here is the link to the 15 February 2020 post HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANNY! (containing Mick Keegan, from Runaway to WWI Veteran and Ross Publican.)
The first of the articles was published on 12 May 1916. Michael Keegan, the son of Mr. Keegan, stationmaster, Glenmore received a commission as lieutenant. It reported “he has been a member of the Flying Corps, and has been several times mentioned in despatches for his bravery and efficiency.” The second article appeared on 6 October 1916 and announced his forthcoming marriage to Miss Brigid Doran, the Quay, New Ross. Although it was a personal announcement the majority of the article centred on his military exploits. “Lieutenant Keegan who is a member of the Royal Flying Corps, was favourably mentioned in despatches and warmly complimented by General French, for his pluck and bravery during his flying expeditions in connection with the war, and was awarded the Military Cross. He also won several cups as a crack shot in the army.” The last article was published on 15 December 1916 and stated that his marriage had taken place that week.
Special thanks to Veronica for sharing the link to the National Archive file concerning the 1916 claim for 9 boxes of Glenmore butter.
Special thanks to Jacqueline Walsh for the old photo of the Waterford Creamery c. 1922.
Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh