John Claffy

71

Robin Sharkey on 29th September 2023

Reporting of John Claffy's crime of abduction of Anne Donohoe: Kerry Evening Post (Ireland), Sat 30 July 1836, p.4 "Assizes Intelligence - King’s County “The grand jury were re-sworn before Judge Johnson on the 20th [July]. "John CLAFFY was arraigned for abduction. When the indictment was read, which set forth that the prisoner did, by force, carry off the prosecutrix against her will, he was asked if he were guilty. He replied, “I took her off, certainly; but I did not know it could be any harm when the girl was more willing herself than I was.” " The girl, whose name was Anne Donohoe, was called on the table. She appeared to be about 20 years of age, was exceedingly well dressed, rather handsome, but peculiarly vulgar and uninteresting. She deposed that she lives with her father in the lower part of the county adjoining the Shannon [River]. Was on a visit at her aunt's house on the month of May last. On the night of the 23rd of that month, about twelve o’clock, she was in bed with her cousin, Anne Graham. Ten or twelve persons forced open the door and went into the room where they were in bed. One of the party cried out, take out the black haired girl, as it is she we want. Another of the men said, we may as well take both, as our hand is in. They were all armed with guns and other weapons. "We cried out as loud as she could. Was taken out and put on a horse behind the prisoner. Her cousin was taken along with her and they proceeded on their journey to the Shannon, which was about 3 miles distant. The whole of the party got into a boat and rode up the Shannon till they came to the House of a man named Nally, a friend to prisoner. He asked her to marry him several times, but she would not consent. She remained two days at his house when the Claffy’s faction heard that her two uncles and three first cousins were coming in pursuit of her, and when they heard it they took her off to the Shannon and put her in the boat and kept out at sea all night. They kept her away altogether 6 days and six nights. She was brought back by the police. The other girl was kept but three days until she was sent back. He did not attempt to ill-use her, but he swore her to marry him, and not to leave him. "The girl, Anne Graham, corroborated her testimony. This witness said that when she was away three days they sent her back. The father of the girl deposed that it was through stratagem he got his daughter back. The Claffys kept boats on the Shannon and he might as well look on the moon for his daughter, for when he and his party would go to one side, the Claffys would run out of sight. At last he sent for him on the pretence of matchmaking, and when he got him in his own house he had him captured by the police. "There were several witnesses examined for the Defence, who swore positively that the girl went off of her own accord. And that when the police came in the first instance to look for her, she pushed Claffy on before her and escaped through her back window for fear she would be brought back. "The father of the girl is a snug farmer who is reputed to have some money. The prisoner, John Claffy, is the son of a man who has a few acres of land at a high rent and was not, in point of pecuniary matters, on an equality with the girl. The associates of Claffy in carrying off the girl have all fled from the country. The jury found the prisoner guilty. Judge Johnson sentenced him to be transported for life."

338

Penny-Lyn Beale on 14th August 2023

New South Wales, Australia, Convict Indents. No; 127. Name John Claffy Age 27 Date of Conviction; 19 Jul 1836 at Kings OFFENCE; ABDUCTION Died at Colonial Hospital, Windsor 16 March 1837.