Jeremiah Connor

341

Maureen Withey on 16th March 2025

The first case called on was that of Jeremiah Connor, who was indicted for assaulting Daniel McCarthy, and taking from him thirty gallons of wine, a quantity of groceries  tea, &c., the goods of the Earl of Bantry. The prosecutor, who is a carrier, was  on his way home from Cork on the evening of the January, but when near the County gaol he was assailed by five persons, of whom the prisoner was one. They threw beat him severely, ransacked his pockets, cut the ropes of his car, and took from it the articles above mentioned. Prosecutor made as much noise as he could and, some persons appearing on the road, four of his ran off. The prisoner, however, remained to search his pockets, which when he had done, he ran off after his companions, but prosecutor followed, and  Mr. Thornhill, the peace-officer, coming up, he seized the prisoner, and took him into custody. Mr. stated, that on the evening in question he was coming into town when he heard a person screaming as if beaten;  he ran to the spot from which the scream appeared to come ; met three persons  running away, one of whom attempted to stop, but was unable; immediately after met the prisoner running, and caught him prosecutor then came up, seized prisoner by the collar, and accused him of being the person who beat him: Prosecutor was covered with mud and bleeding very much, His Lordship said the conduct of Mr. Thornhill had been extremely creditable. The issue was then handed to the jury, who having found the prisoner Guilty, His Lordship said— This is a very serious business, Jeremiah Connor, and for which you are liable to lose your life, for been found guilty of a capital felony. I must consider whether it will be necessary to have the extreme penalty of the law executed, or whether I will recommend you to transportation for your  life. I do not say the former  will be necessary, but in order to prevent this attacking of people knocking down carmen in the public road  at night, knocking down carmen in the neighbourhood populous cities, and robbing them of the goods with which they are entrusted, an example must  be made, and it may be necessary that for that example your case should be selected. Let him be brought up for judgment  judgment before the end of the Assizes. Cork Constitution, 19 March 1833.

341

Maureen Withey on 16th March 2025

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Jeremiah Connor, age on arrival, 18, per Java, 1833, Tried 1833 at Cork, Life, for Highway robbery. DOB, 1815, native place, Cork. Single, Catholic. Errand boy.