Thomas Crawford

341

Maureen Withey on 8th April 2025

ENNIS ASSIZES. Wednesday. Timothy Killeen and Thomas Crawford were tried before Judge Moore, for an assault with intent to rob and demand arms from Patrick O’Kelly, of Cascade-lodge, near Miltown Malbay. The prosecution for this, a transportable felony  was conducted by the Crown. Mr. O'Kelly was examined - The prisoners, with another party, broke into his house at house at night, and demanded his fire arms or they would shoot him. He told told them he would only surrender  the arms with his life, and bid them commence the work of death as soon as they pleased. He had a double barrel gun  and musket in his room. The prisoners broke open two chests in search of them; and they went off without having got them, his house was burned to ashes by the Terries not long before. Cross-examined - Was worth £200 a year, and took the benefit of the Insolvent Act, is now allowed £80 a year under the Court. It is likely he may have been drunk in the day time, the prisoners were in the kitchen of the house, they were disguised. How did they disguise themselves? - Running about and speaking! - (laughter.) Knew them since they were children, had some liquor in when he called the Police to take them  afterwards. Swears he never gave a double barrel gun to the Terries, it was always in his possession - was decreed by one of his neighbours, but paid the sum due since. Ellen and Wm. O'Kelly, identified the prisoners, and corroborated  their father's testimony as to the attack. Margaret Killeen, an Irish witness, was sworn for the defence, and her answers  were interpreted, she gave the following very singular account of herself :- I was dressed as Lady Clare this time last  year, I was dressed in a white gown, green shawl and bonnet, which belonged to Mr. O'Kelly's daughters, who it was put them on me; their brother Wm. Kelly came for me and I went with him to their house, it was he gave me the gun when I was going out of the room, they bid me visit Mr. O'Kelly's tenants and order them to sell their potatoes cheap, also to go to a man who had a decree against him, I followed that man but not far for he threw himself on his knees before me, he ran away from me through a river first. Cross-examined by Mr. Bennett - Mr. O'Kelly swore against my husband for burning his house, and I swore afterwards that he himself burned it. - it was about breakfast time I was sent out as Lady Clare, William Kelly pointed the gun at me in the room and said I should never leave it unless I consented to be dressed, the gun be gave me  was loaded, I knew it was loaded, for I saw the father make his son put  powder and shot into it, the man who had the decree mas in another room with old Kelly while I was dressing, Kelly's daughter went into that room and said Lady Clare was coming and the men ran away, then I was desired by the family to go round and follow him, which I did. Young Kelly came out door with me, and stopped me to settle the gun on my shoulder for I did not know how to carry it. I went on and presented the gun at the man about 30 yards off, & he fell on his knees at once, and begged me to spare his life - (Witness here described how she presented the gun by pointing the Crier's rod, while the awkward movement and position of the woman caused great laughter) - that man was old Kelly's nephew. I lost a belt I had round my waist that day, and the man who picked it up was afraid to come near me, until he saw who I was - I never was dressed so before or since. I had no cover or disguise on my face that day,  for it was coloured enough before. In appearance the witness was a good representative of the great and formidable heroine whose name and dress she had assumed - tall and strong the figure, with  bronze rough features, and about 50 years age. A witness, on the name of Foley, swore he saw the last witness as Lady Clare come out of Kelly's house, and pursue a man who fell on his knees before her - took up a belt that fell from her and  returned it. William Kelly and Ellen Kelly were recalled and directly contradicted the evidence of  Margaret Killeen. Mrs. O'Kelly sworn - corroborated the preceding evidence, and swore herself and husband were never drunk since they were born, her first child is 16 years and was born before she was herself married. The swearing of the witnesses examined in this case was most contradictory, as three on the  defence persisted they saw Lady Clare coming out of Mr. O'Kelly's house with his gun in her hand. The investigation was tedious and uninteresting unless so far as the novel and striking appearance of a Lady Clare in person on the table, and her description of the extraordinary process she was put through by Mr. O'Kelly's family as she alledged. In charging the Jury, Judge Moore declared it was the most extraordinary case that ever came for trial before him. The Jury continued in deliberation for near two hours and then found a verdict of Guilty after which the Court adjourned at 6 o'clock. Kerry Evening Post, 11 April 1832. Timothy Killeen and Thomas Crawford, for assaulting the habitation of Mr. P. O'Kelly.— To be transported for life. Roscommon and Leitrim Gazette, 14 April 1832.

341

Maureen Withey on 8th April 2025

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Thomas Crawford, age on arrival, 23, per Eliza II (4)(1832), Tried 1832 at Clare, Life for Assault robbery. DOB, 1809, Native place, Clare Co. Catholic. Single. Ploughman reaper sower.