William Downes

341

Maureen Withey on 2nd June 2026

William Downes was charged with the forcible abduction of Catherine Riedy, at Ballycana, in this County, on the … of January last. …. Limerick Chronicle, 15 March 1837. ABDUCTION. William Downs stood indicted for the abduction of Catherine Riedy, on the 16th Jan., Ballinkenna, in this County. was also indicted for rape. The Prosecutrix, a young and handsome female, decently attired, seemed to be greatly affected. She hesitated for a considerable time before she would kiss the book. She was examined by Mr. Bennett, K.C , and her evidence was to the following effect that she had been in service with a man named John Rennehan, in whose house prisoner lived, also, as a servant (identified prisoner.) There was a woman named Kelly, in the house with whom witness slept ; on the night of the 16th, William Downes came their room, and desired witness to get up ; she told him she would not, and he then took her between his hands against her will; she asked him what ailed him, or where he was going with her ; when he said she should be his wife , she was undressed  and begged of him to suffer her first put on her clothes; he allowed her to do so, and then took her out and carried her into a stable in the yard, where he made attempt upon her, but on this occasion he did not succeed. He did, afterwards her wrong at Shaughnessy’s house. [Witness (here became affected, and seemed incapable of continuing her evidence, she at first stated in a feeble tone of voice, that she would be  satisfied by to the loss of it herself, so he was now let go.” The counsel for the crown could could not induce her to describe the commission of the offence charged in the second indictment, and being unwilling to press for it, gave up the prosecution under that head,) Mr. G. Bennett,. Well, after he carried you on from Rennehan’s, where did he take you to? Witness—He carried me to John Shaughnessy’s house, where I slept with his wife and he staying out in the kitchen ; was kept in this house until the next evening, when the prisoner told me would to his uncle’s house for  the marriage money, which he did, and in his absence I went to my cousin, Mary’s house at Mornane, where my sister and brother came for me, and took me away to Askeaton, and the day after I arrived there, I gave informations. Prisoner came there to propose marriage to me. Cross-examined Mr. Freemay—Left Rennehan's service before the 16th; afterwards came back here, knowing prisoner to be there; (witness on being here asked, she had received any presents, said—“ Oh, don’t ask any more questions, I am ready marry him.)” Mr. Freemay—WeII, tell me, did you not get a handkerchief from him before you left Rennehan's. Witness—l were for 4 months service; I was often left myself in the house; Downes lent me two shillings; I did not want the money of him—but he forced it on me. James Rennehan, next witness—W at home on the night of the 16th ; prisoner came in with two men. they came over witness in his bed. and he awoke and saw Catherine Riedy dressing herself on the door; she was putting on her best clothes; heard her say to his wife will you let me go witness sent out little girl to tell her (prosecutrix's) uncle, who lived next door, of the transaction, but that person would not get  up. there was nothing particular elicited in this witness's cross examination.  Rennihan, wife to last witness, was in her room when the two men came in with prisoner ; Downes said—“ Catherine Reidy you are my wife  in spite of the world, saw prosecutrix over to a peg and take her clean clothes off, and put them on ; witness  began cry, and went to tell her uncle ; prosecutrix did not bawl, nor cry nor lament going, only asked witness if she would let her go, prisoner took her in his arms just like one would raise child (laughter)  and carried her off. Cross-examined Mr. Freeman—Prosecutrix got two handkerchiefs from prisoner; her own brother showed me of them, she showed another; saw an apron with her and asked her where she got the price of it; she would not  tell me John Shaughnessy examined—My house is three miles from Rennehan’s; know the prisoner and prosecutrix both came to my house ; I and Downes staid up by the fire, and prosecutrix went into my bed room, and slept with my wife ; prisoner acknowledged to me he took away girl by  force. Mary Fitzgerald, next witness, knows both parties ; prisoner went to her house, and she accompanied him to O’Shaughnessy 's house; saw prosecutrix there, sitting at the foot the bed,  crying; she came with witness home; prosecutrix asked consent to home with witness, she was not long the House when her brother came for her and took her away. Denis Kitdy proved he took his sister, prosecutrix, home to  Askeaton. evidence was adduced for the defence. His Lordship then charged the Jury, who. after a short delay, returned a verdict of—Guilty. His Lordship addressed the prisoner, telling him that he had been convicted of capital crime in carrying away the prosecutrix by force, and without her consent. His Lordship should now order Judgment of death recorded against him, with view to application to Government on his behalf. The result of that application his lordship could not answer for. Southern Reporter, 16 March 1837.

341

Maureen Withey on 2nd June 2026

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. William Downes, age on arrival, 30, per Calcutta II, 1837. Tried at Limerick, 1837, Life for Abduction rape. Irish White Boy rebel. DOB, 1807, native place, Limerick Co. Single, uncle Patrick Downes convict arrived about 1820. Catholic. Labourer.