Dennis Deasley

341

Maureen Withey on 26th August 2024

John Kearney and Denis Dessy, were indicted for burglariously entering the house of Mr Joseph Stevelly, Esq. at Clontinon Lodge, and stealing thereout, several silver and other articles, his property. Mr. Stevelly examined by Mr. Haines, deposed that on the night of the 10th January, while the family were asleep, the house was entered, and several articles, deposed, that on the night of the 10th January, while the family were asleep, the house was entered, and several articles were taken, which he saw afterwards at the Bridewell. Among the properly taken away, was his coat and waistcoat, which lav at his bed side ! Ellen Twomv, servant the last witness, was absent from the house on that night, at her sister's wedding, and on the following morning between seven and eight o'clock when she returned she found the doors open and the family not up. Witness then went into the pantry, and counted the silver spoons, and missed the spoons laid in the indictment. The cook shortly after came down stairs, and witness went up to her master's room, and informed him of what occurred. Mr. Joseph Stevelly is son of the last witness, audio consequence of the robbery, from information be had received he went to Bandon, and called on the Chief Constable, Capt. Watkins, and examined different Pawn offices and houses, and the prisoners were found in lodgings there and when questioned they could give satisfactory account of themselves, which they were conveyed to the Bridewell, where, being searched, on the person of knife was found which he (Mr.S.) identified his father's. The parties who entered the house had left a suspender after them  and witness showing it to the prisoner he said it was his, but on recollecting himself he remarked that he had lent it to a boy some days before, but on further search, on his person was found suspender, which exactly corresponded with the one then in his possession. Patrick Donovan, an approver, knew the prisoners, and went with them to Mr. Stevelly's house on the Blackrock Road, and Deasy went over the wall into the kitchen, where found some bread and eggs which he boiled! He remained in the house from two until five o'clock in the morning, when returned, and the witness met him at Parliament Bridge, and he gave him (Deasy) eight small silver spoons, four of which he sold to woman on the Coal Quay, for which he got 4s; Kearney was only employed by Deasy to sell them. To the Court. —The prisoners were brought in from Bandon, and when be heard that they were going to inform against him, he (witness) went up to the Gaol and delivered himself up to Mr. Walsh, and told him all about the robbery; witness returned four spoons to Dessy again. Mary Boyd, keeps a standing on the Coal Quay ; knows Donovan and Kearney, and purchased spoons from them in the month of January last. She gave the spoons at the Bridewell. To  the Court —She purchased all the spoons for 8d —it was the first time she ever brought any thing of the kind, and it should be the last. Mr. Rogers High Constable, deposed that the spoons now produced, and identified by Mr, Stevelly, were those he received at the Bridewell from the last witness. There were no witnesses called for the defence, and the Learned Sergeant addressed the Jury, and after recapitulating the evidence to them in a clear and distinct manner, they deliberated for a short time, and found the prisoner Dessy guilty, and acquitted Kearney. The Jury accompanied their verdict with recommendation to mercy, on account of his youth, which the Learned Sergeant  remarked should be attended to. He would have sentence of Death recorded against him, but the prisoner should be transported for life. Cork Constitution, 31 March 1829.

341

Maureen Withey on 26th August 2024

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Dennis Deasley, age on arrival, 18, per Larkins (2) 1829, Tried at Cork, 1829, Life, for Burglary. DOB, 1811, native place, Cork. Single. Catholic. Trade, Tailors apprentice. Remarks: Iron gang.