John Brophy

341

Maureen Withey on 24th March 2025

Waterford Summer Assizes.  John Brophy, aged 24, and Walter Power, a young lad 17 years old, were indicted for assaulting Richard Corcoran, on the 7th May, and for payment of a son’s wages and his own, and that, he was going home on the same evening about 10 o’clock, accompanied by Ned Walsh, fellow labourer, was attacked by four men. at the corner of the New-road, leading to the Manor; they caught  hold of him and were proceeding to rifle his pockets when some persons approached which caused them to desist and  run away. He then, still accompanied by Walsh, proceeded towards home, and as he reached John's bridge, six men met him, four of whom were the persons that first attacked him ; the same four again caught and robbed him the money he received from Mr, Hayes, which he had rolled up in a stocking and placed in his inside coat pocket. They struck Ned Walsh and knocked him down, and one of the party cried out not to strike Corcoran as he was an old man. Another of the party also ran off with his. hat. Witness saw the prisoner Brophy, drinking at Hayes’s house the same evening. He then identified the prisoners two of the party that robbed him. Edmond Walsh  corroborated Corcoran’s testimony in every particular, and fully identified the prisoners of the party. He also stated that one of the prisoners struck him with a stone and knocked him down, and the other prisoner hit him when he got up with a pelt of a fist in the eye and tumbled him again. Brophy, the prisoner—My Lord, this Walsh is a man that has no place of residence, and is principally supported by the boatmen, and I am certain he would swear anything they bid him. Walsh, turning round to the dock, said—Why, you robbing scoundrel, I earn my bread honestly, and I don’t go by night walking and robbing  as you do. This pithy address completely silenced the loquacity of the prisoner. He appeared a very pert and flippant fellow .  After some witnesses for the defence were examined, His Lordship charged the jury and recapitulated the evidence very minutely; he made pointed observations on the degree of credit to be attached Walsh’s testimony, more particularly as had been mistaken in the identification  of a person arrested, and charged, in the first instance, by Walsh as one of the party. The jury retired, and having consulted a few minutes, returned a verdict guilty. The learned judge addressed the prisoners in most impressive manner. He said—John Brophy and Walter Power, you have each of you been indicted and found guilty of high offence against the laws of the country. The offence is of stopping  upon the King's highway, and by force and violence, robbing a poor and industrious man of the small pittance he received for his labour, and which was bringing home for the support of his family, you also made a most desperate attack on that man’s companion, and, although death did not follow. His life was in jeopardy from your felonious conduct. The circumstance of there being no personal violence used towards Corcoran will operate in your favour ; I will not pass sentence of death on you in open court, but I will have it recorded against you. I will submit your case to Government. Waterford Mail, 27 July 1831 and Kilkenny Moderator, 30 July 1831.

341

Maureen Withey on 24th March 2025

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. John Brophy, age on arrival, 22, per Norfolk (3) 1832, Tried 1831 at Waterford, Life for Robbery highway. DOB, 1810, native place, Waterford. Single. Catholic. Boatman. Colonial sentence, Cockatoo Island.