Subscribers to the Fr. Cody Defence Fund
Fr. Michael Cody, native of Glenmore
On the 17th of December 1880, Father Michael Cody and Patrick Sheehan were summoned to the petty sessions court at Kilmacow for their Land League activities in Mullinavat. It was alleged that on the 14th of December Father Cody attempted to compel by threats Darby Walsh, of Ballynooney, to give up his farm and caused a bell ringer on the 16th of December to follow Walsh through the Village of Mullinavat to ensure that no person would deal with Walsh. Walsh alleged that these activities were agreed at a Mullinavat Land League meeting chaired by Father Cody. Bail was set at €100 for Father Cody and €80 for Patrick Sheehan. Today, Danny Dowling explained that people who agreed to take land or farms where others had been evicted were generally referred to as “grabbers” and were shunned by the community. Danny stated that Father Michael Cody was born and raised in Carrigcloney, Glenmore.
At the Glenmore Land League meeting held on the 8th of February 1881 the meeting was chaired by Father Corcoran, C.C and executive board members Daniel Cody and Patrick Forristal were present. Father Cody’s case was the subject of much discussion. “We beg to assure Father Cody that he is far from being deserted in his present difficulty.” (Wexford People, 12 Feb. 1881) A defence fund was established for Father Cody and a list of subscribers was so long it had to be printed in two different newspaper editions.
The list of Glenmore subscribers to the Father Cody defence fund in the Wexford People on 12 February 1881, includes:
Rev. E. O'Farrell, P.P., £3
Rev. M. Corcoran, C.C., £1
Daniel Cody, Carrigcloney, £2
Patrick Hogan, Weatherstown, £2
Patrick Forristal, Ballyvernia, €l
John Mullins, Flemmingstown, £1
John Fitzgerald, Aylwardstown, £1
James Freany, Kilbride, £1
Thomas Freaney, Kilbride, £1
John Fitzgerald, Knockbrack, £1
Patrick Walsh, Davidstown, £1
Pierce Barron, Carrigcloney, £1
Denis Phelan, Jr., Ballyfacy, 10s.
Patrick Forristal, Graiguenakill, 10s.
James Aylward, Rochestown, 5s.
John Murphy, Kearneybay, 4s.
William Barry, Carrigcloney, 10s.
Patk. Irish, Carrigcloney, 2s. 6d.
Edward Haberlin, Aylwardstown, 2s.
The remainder of subscribers were published in the 19th February 1881 edition of the Wexford People.
Willliam Fitzgerald, Weatherstown, £1
" A Lover of the Irish Priesthood," 2s.
John Kennedy, " Oge" Rathinure, 2s. 6d.
Henry Martin, Bailinlammy, €1
John Irish, Aylwardstown, 5s.
Pat Walshe, Davidstown, £1
Nicholas Hennebery, Davidstown, 3s.
Thomas Roche, Davidstown., 3s.
John Power, Carrigcloney, 2s. 6d.
Thomas Freaney, Catsrock, 5s.
Michael Whelan, Coolnaleen, 5s.
Richard Doherty, Coolnaleen, 7s.
Michael Delahunty, Coolnaleen, 2s.
Patrick Whelan, Coolnaleen, 2s. 4d.
Patrick Holden, Busherstown, 1s.
A Glenmore Boy, 10s.
Michael Walshe, Haggard, 5s.
Michael Kennedy, Rathinure, 5s.
Peter Grant, Gaulstown, 2s.
John Hoyne, Ballybrahee, 5s.
Mrs. Heffernan, Aylwardston, 4s.
Patrick Delahunty, Aylwardstown, 5s.
Daniel Ribby, Ballyveria, 2s. 6d.