Michael Costello

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Maureen Withey on 18th August 2024

The Dublin Commission closed on Thursday, the following sentences were passed . -— ... Thomas Dunn and Michael Costelloe, burglary. Sentence of death recorded. … Belfast Commercial Chronicle, 14 Jan 1826. Escape from Newgate prevented. Notwithstanding that the vigilance and activity are perpetually practised in His Majesty’s gaol Newgate, the ingenuity and extraordinary address some prisoners had yesterday well nigh proved successful, and would have triumphed then, or in few days, no doubt, but for the lynx-eyed watchfulness that is constantly practised in the establishment, under the able direction the Governor, aided by the caution of those whose duty ... them to the inspection or care of this important establishment. At half past nine clock, it was found that breach had been made in the wall of the ground cells corridor floor, upon the South side the building , and opposite the Little Green, where sentinel watches. James Byrne, under sentence of imprisonment, whose time has nearly expired, was left there to clean the cells, is customary. Another prisoner, named Michael Costello, under a rule of transportation for burglary and robbery, had secreted himself in the place, and remaining with Byrne, succeeded in entering the breach in the corridor wall, which was an arm’s length in extent, by means of the bar of one the grates, which he had, it is supposed, wrenched from its place in the kitchen. short period ought have completed the opening- fortunately the discovery was made in sufficient time to stop the ... Saunders News-Letter, 2 Mar 1826.

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Maureen Withey on 18th August 2024

COMMISSION-COURT—Monday. Thomas Dunn and Michael Costello were indicted for burglary and robbery in the house of Mr. James Dodd, of Smithfield, on the night of the 6th of October. Mr. Dodd and his clerk proved the loss of the money, amounting to about 300£, out of a drawer in the shop which was broken open ; a bar of iron, a chissel, and a gimblet were found in the office in the morning. Sarah Williams was examined at great length to that she was an accomplice in the robbery prove, known it to be committed by the prisoners, and that they gave her 3£ for her trouble. It was witness: who called them up, and they took with them the implements afterwards found in Mr Dodd's. She described a pocket-book which they brought back with them, and which exactly corresponded with the description of the one lost by Mr. Dodd. She admitted that she herself had been tried for robbery, and acquitted, and that she had been subsequently charged with stealing beads and a silver crucifix, from her landlord; her husband had been transported for robbing Dr. Clarke of Granby-row, and she would go to Botany bay if he wrote for her ; she expected to get the reward of 130£ offered for the conviction of the perpetrators of Mr. Dodd's robbery, if the present prosecution succeeded. Mr. Henry Everard was called to identify a guinea found in the prisoner's lodgings by the Police, as one of those which bad been stolen from Mr. Dodd ; he knew it by some of dirt which were in a particular manner ingrafted in the cavities in the head side of the coin. Anthony Dunlevie’s evidence went to show, that after the date of the robbery a change for the better was very perceptible in the manner of living of the prisoner, Dunn ; be got his house repaired, and lent the witness he also laid in provisions. Michael Cannon, an Officer, arrested the prisoners on the 16th of October, at No. 4, Green- street ; Costello was there when witness called ; he was very well dressed, had ‘new clothes, and had a new hat; he found a quantity of silver in a drawer ; he then sent Costello to the watch-house, and waited for Dunn, who shortly came in and denied all knowledge of the robbery ; on questioning him about the money, Dunn said he had got it from his tenants. The prisoners were discharged by the Magistrates; at the time they were discharged Mrs. it Williams had not given any information. Samuel Stevens, another peace-officer, arrested both the prisoners on the 30th of October, at Dunn's lodging, and on searching Dunn he found the guinea of which had been identified, and a sovereign in his pocket; they were then discharged ; Mrs. Williams had not then given evidence; he again arrested them on the 10th of November; no examination took place at any time in the police-office the presence of Sarah Williams prior to her making information. Mr. James Ed. Byrne for the defence, deposed that Sarah Williams had lived with him as servant; he had prosecuted her for theft, and she was acquitted in consequence of a flaw in the indictment he certainly did not think her, from her character, worthy of credit in a Court of Justice. Mr. Byrne was cross-examined at some length, as to the grounds of his opinion; it was from several circumstances he had learned since her trial, on which occasion he had not given her a bad character, but said he did not know much about her. Mr. Justice Vandeleur charged the Jury, who brought in a Verdict of Guilty on both Counts. Dublin Morning Register, 3 Jan 1826.

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Maureen Withey on 14th August 2024

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Michael Costello, age on arrival, 30, per Phoenix III (1826) Tried at Dublin, 1826, Life for Robbery house. No former convictions. DOB, 1796. Native place, Dublin. Single. Catholic. Trade, Farmers man.