Edward Dillane

342

Maureen Withey on 29th September 2025

Patrick Stack, Patrick Sullivan, Timothy, Patrick, and Edmund Dillane, were indicted  maliciously setting fire to four stacks of hay, the property of Maurice Wolfe, at Drumbanna, on the 3rd of October last. Patrick Wolfe sworn and examined by Mr. Plunkett.—Lives at Drambanna; recollects the night the hay was  burned; witness and his brother, Thomas, were watching the hay on that night, when they saw five men, four of whom had burning sods in their hands, coming towards the stack (identities the prisoners as being of the party) ; they burned four stacks of the hay ; witness and his brother hid themselves or they would be murdered. Thomas Wolfe sworn—Corroborated the foregoing evidence;  prisoners had told him coming from the petty sessions of Abbeyfeale, that they would soon give him fresh news to tell. Mr. Mullins, for the prisoners, croos-examined the witnesses, and addressed the jury, contending that it would not be safe to convict on such evidence. His Lordship briefly addressed the jury, who, without leaving the box, found the  prisoners Guilty. His Lordship told them that such was the state of the country, and such the incidents of crime on the calendar, and their crime being one of a very prevalent nature, that of setting fire to property by night, he was bound to make an example of them. His lordship then sentenced Patrick Stack, Timothy, Patrick, and Edmund Dillane, to 7 years transportation, and Patrick Sullivan to 18 months imprisonment and hard labour. Limerick Chronicle, 14 March 1849. ---------------------------------------------------------------- Tasmanian Records. Indent: https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON14-1-45/CON14-1-45P38 and https://libraries.tas.gov.au/Digital/CON14-1-45/CON14-1-45P39 John Dillane, Tried Limerick, 12 March 1849, age 35, 7 years, Catholic, can neither read nor write, married, 4 children. Offence: Burning a stack of hay, pr. Mr Wolfe, Limerick. Labourer, Native place, Limerick. W, Johan (?) NP. 2 bros on board. Edward Dillane, Tried Limerick, 12 March 1849, age 38, 7 years, Catholic, can neither read nor write, married, 5 children. Offence: Burning a stack of hay, pr. Mr Wolfe, Limerick. Labourer, Native place, Limerick. W. Mary, NP. Timothy Dillane, Tried Limerick, 12 March 1849, age 30, 7 years, Catholic, can neither read nor write, married, no children. Offence: Burning a stack of hay, pr. Mr Wolfe, Limerick. Labourer, Native place, Limerick.. W, Margt, NP.