Martin Boland

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Maureen Withey on 25th August 2025

Ennis, July 11. Martin Boland, Edmond Boland and Simon Fitzgibbon, stood indicted for having, on the night of the 11th of February last, burglariously entered the dwelling-house of William Breen, of Kilduff, in the county of Clare, and with having committed an assault and robbery therein. This case was prosecuted  by the orders of the Attorney - General, and excited very considerable interest. Thomas Walsh; examined by Mr. Sergeant GOOLD—Witness knows the prisoners. On the night that Wm. Breers's house was attacked, the prisoner called at witness's father's house, which is about six miles from Breen's. Martin Boland first came in ; he had a gun ; he stated that in a short time they would be joined by others, and that their intention was to proceed to the house of Breen for the purpose of robbing an old woman who was then in Breen's house. Witness's father consented to join them. In a short time after two other men came in—namely, the prisoner Edmond Boland and John Morogue, they had large sticks. The prisoner Fitzgibbon came in, and remained in the house during the time they were at supper. A man of the name of Connor Redden, who was since executed, was also one of the party. When they were about to proceed to Breen's house, the prisoner Edmond Boland proposed that witness should accompany them, but his father and mother refused to suffer witness to go. Boland, however, insisted on his going, and he accordingly did go. On their arrival at Breen's house it was far advanced in the night ; the prisoner Fitzgibbon attempted to force in the door, by rushing violently against it, he did not, however, succeed ; Boland also attempted, and failed to break the door ; Fitzgibbon again rushed to the door, and, assisted by others, succeeded in breaking one of the  pannels. Fitzgibbon was the first man who entered. As Fitzgibbon was in the act of entering the house, Breen mede a blow with with a spade at him, which he received on the head, and which cut him. After Breen struck Fitzgibbon, the rest of the party entered, they one and all assailed Breen, they knocked him down, and continued to beat him, until they left him for Soon after he entered the house Fitzgibben lighted a candle, which he had brought with him. Witness was at the door, where he was placed by Fitzgibbon and Edmond Boland as a sentinel, in order to give the alarm, in case any person should be approaching.  Witness, from the place where be stood, had a full opportunity of seeing what was going forward.  Witness saw the prisoner Fitzgibbon strike Mary Breen. with his hand; the other prisoners also beat her. Edmond Boland took out a knife, and threatened to cut up if she did not desist from crying out. Witness did tint remain until the party quitted the house of  Breen. He became frightened and ran away; before he went away, the daughter of Breen seized hold of him and dragged him into the house. Witness called out for assistance, and Morogue released him from her. Mary Breen—Witness is daughter to  Wm. Breen. Recollects the night of the attack; the family were all in bed, and were alarmed by the breaking in of the outward door. Witness slept in a loft. When she heard the door broken, she went down into the kitchen, where she saw four men, three of 'whom had each a knife ; the fourth man was armed with a gun ;  there was a light at this time in the kitchen. Immediately after they had entered the house they beat witness's father and mother in a terrible way. Some time after, one of the  party lighted a candle. They searched every part of the house for money. They found some flannel and other articles which they took away. The first man that witness saw was Fitzgibbon, he had a stick when she first  saw him, but he threw it away, and took a large knife, with which he threatened to stab them. He knocked witness's father down. Witness had seen Fitzgibbon before. He searched for money, and repeatedly said that he would murder every one in the house, if they did not give him money.  Part of Fitzgibbon's face was blackened. He broke open the boxes, and broke the furniture, and cut several articles of  wearing apparel with the knife which he had in his hand. Martin Boland was armed with a gun, and Edm. Boland had a large knife. They all joined in destroying every article which came in their way, because they could not get money. The boy, Thomas Walsh, the last witness, was also one of the party. Mary Walsh—ls mother to the witness Thomas Walsh. Recollects that on the night of the attack on Breen's house, the prisoners and others came to the house of witness's husband ; ... ... Here the case closed for the Crown. For the defence, three witnesses were provided to prove an alibi. The Learned Judge left it to the Jury after the evidence they had heard, to say whether the prisoners were of the party who attacked the house of Breen. That the house was attacked ; that that unfortunate man and his family, in the dead hour of the night, were disturbed from  their repose—the house broken—the property destroyed, and the family cruelly and barbarously used, admitted of no doubt. If the Jury should be of opinion that the prisoners were there,  they must suffer the last punishment of the law, and that fact would, no doubt, induce the Jury to look to the evidence in all its bearings before they should return a verdict. The Jury retired for half an hour and returned a verdict, finding all the prisoners Guilty. The Judge, after a short pause, put on his black cap, and proceeded to pronounce the awful sentence of the law. He dwelt upon the enormity of the offence of which the prisoners had been convicted, and he entreated them to expect no mercy in this world, but to seek by prayer and repentance for mercy from God. He then ordered the three men for execution. The prisoners received the sentence in silence. One of the Bolands only spoke, when the Judge said, you must he hanged by the neck; he extended his head over the dock and exclaimed in a tremulous voice, Our Saviour suffered on the cross. They were removed from the Court to the goal, under a strong escort of the police, followed by some of their friends, who wept aloud all the way. English Chronicle, 18 July 1827. Simon Fitzgibbon and Martin and Edward Boland, sentenced to death at last Ennis Assizes, are ordered for execution on the 5th August. Limerick Chronicle, 26 July 1826.

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Dennis Nightingale on 1st June 2015

169686 Boland Martin - Mariner 1827. 1827 State Archives of NSW. Bound indents Microfiche 664. Age 30.Farmer's labourer from Co. Clare. Tried 11 July 1826 and sentenced to transportation for life for house breaking. Assigned to Beresford Hudson at Hillsborough on arrival. Brother of Edward Boland who arrived on the same vessel. 31159 Boland Martin - Mariner 1827. 1828 Hilllsborough, Luskintyre. 1828 Census. Labourer asigned to B. Hudson.

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Dennis Nightingale on 1st June 2015

Born - Clare Ireland. Single - brother of Edmond arrived per same ship.