John Butler

342

Maureen Withey on 30th May 2024

LOUTH ASSIZES. SATURDAY, JULY 28. BURGLARY ROBBERY. John Murphy, John Butler and Michael Raverty, were indicted for forcibly breaking into and robbing the dwelling house of John Martin, of Dunmahon. John Martin, examined Mr. Staples, K.C.— Lives in Dunmahon ; 2nd July last, about or 12 o’clock at night, heard stones rattling against the door; man came to the door and demanded gun, witness broke pane in the window and handed him out the ; shortly after his door was broken open, and about nine men came in ; they rummaged his desk and took out of sovereign and half in gold, and 15s. in silver ; they took other things; the men remained the house about minutes; them distinctly. Being directed to the dock first said he could not identify any one of prisoners; afterwards, however, identified Murphy as the person that presented a pistol at his breast. …. Catharine Martin, examined Mr. Staples—is wife to John Martin; remembers the night her house was robbed ; lost three shawls, two small ones, an apron, table cloth, two yards cotton, gold ring, 4s of silver, some ribbons, and two handkerchiefs ; saw some of the articles she lost that night in possession of Robert Turner, police constable, the two handkerchiefs and other articles were shown to witness on the table, which she identified. Robert Turner. examined Gilmore.—Recollects the day after Martin’s robbery ;went to search in Laurence Durnan’s ; found Durnan and Butler in bed; Durnan was stripped; Butler had all on him except his shoes found one of the handkerchiefs in Butler’s hat, and took two notes, two sovereigns and change out of his pocket; Durnan resisted witness with pitchfork when he was making him prisoner. Lawrence Durnan (an approver) examined by Mr. Woody, Went to Martin’s to rob on 2 July last; Michael Raverty, John Butler and John Murphy were with him ; Raverty demanded gun off Martin ; Martin broke pane in the window and handed it out to him ; he then went round to the back door and fired into the house; ... The Jury returned a verdict of Guilty against Murphy and Butler, and acquitted Raverty. The Learned Judge then proceeded sentence of death on the two prisoners. John Murphy and John Butler, have each of you, (said his Lordship) been found guilty of the crime of housebreaking … Drogheda Journal, 1 Aug 1827. THOMPSON AND BUTLER REPRIEVED, DUNDALK, FRIDAY EVENING. This morning's brought reprieve for Wm. Thompson, under sentence of death in this gaol for forgery, and also for Butler, under sentence for burglary robbery in the house of John Martin, on the 2d of July. Mr Crowe, the Governor of the Gaol, immediately on the receipt of the official document, communicated the joyful intelligence to Thompson … On the intelligence being communicated to Butler, he jumped out of bed, and fell on his knees to return thanks; he is a very young man, and apprentice to Murphy, who was convicted along with him, and who is an old offender.—Butler and Thompson are transported for life. Drogheda Journal, 4 Aug 1827

342

Maureen Withey on 30th May 2024

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. John Butler, age on arrival, 25, per Mangles (5), 1828. Tried at Louth, 1827, Life for Robbery house. DOB, 1803, native place, Louth. Single. Catholic. Trade, Farmer.