Thomas Dempsey

341

Maureen Withey on 5th April 2020

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Thomas Dempsey, age 37, per Eliza II (1) 1827, Tried at Cork, 1827, crime, -. sentence Life, Native of Cork Co., trade – Labourer farm, Catholic, Married 4 children. DOB 1790. ---------------------------------------------------- John, Thomas and Denis Dempsey were severally indicted, under Lord Ellenborough’s act, for cutting and maiming Owen Hourahan on the 17th February, at Skibbereen— Owen Hourahan, examined by Mr. Quill—Remembers the 17th February; witness was returning home with his brother late on that evening, when they were assaulted by the prisoners, whom he identifies ; witness was on horseback, but his brother was walking ; one of the men came up, and pulled him off the horse, and they all attacked him with sticks,-—witness succeeded in defending his head for some time ; at last they pulled his hat off, and beat him most unmercifully; through the effects of the blows, he was thrown on his face and hands; after continuing to beat him for some lime, they went away, and witness discovered, on coming to himself, two stabs in his legs; two of his nails were torn off, and his ancle bone dislocated,; cannot say that they had any swords or sharp instrument with them; witness did not hear either the prisoners speak. Mr. Alex. McCarthy deposed, that he examined the prosecutor, and found that his head was desperately wounded; there were also two deep cuts on one of his legs, which appeared to witness to have been inflicted by a sharp instrument such as a sword; but it is possible they might have been caused by a sharp stone; if, however, the wounds had been made by a stone, contusion would most likely have been made, but the cuts were clear, and attended with no contusion. Timothy Hourahan deposed, that he was in company with his brother when the prisoners attacked them; being afraid however lest they should murder him, as soon they came he fled, and concealed himself near the place behind a gate, where he observed every thing that took place; he perceived the prisoners, John and Thomas beating his brother; also heard one of them say to another, Timothy Hourahan has escaped from us, let us murder this fellow. As soon as they cried out, this witness ran off and left his brother with them; he did not see Denis Dempsey there; previous to this his brother, the prosecutor had a law suit with the prisoners, which be supposes was was the cause of their assaulting them. There were several witnesses produced on the prisoners’ behalf, but their evidence did did not tend throw any doubt on thie testimony of the witnesses for the prosecution—the prisoners were all found Guilty. His Lordship addressed the prisoners in feeling manner, and represented to them the enormity of the crime of which they had been convicted, to which he said the law attached the punishment of death—he however concluded saying, that as the death of the individual had not ensued, he would recommend a mitigation of lenience to that of transportation for life. Cork Constitution, 10 April 1827. -------------------------------------------------- All three were transported on the same ship.