Michael Driscoll

343

Maureen Withey on 3rd July 2024

Michael Driscoll and Michael Murphy were indicted for robbing Daniel Forde on the high-way, his coat and hat, and small sum money. The prosecutor stated that lives Ballincollig. and that on returning from town, got a blow of a stone the head, which knocked him the ground senseless, and while down, was robbed. could not identify the persons. The next witness was Timothy Sullivan, an accomplice of the prisoners but his testimony being unsupported, it was legally sufficient, and the prisoners were acquitted. The same prisoners and Michael Bradley, were again given in charge another indictment for stealing a number iron implements and quantity old iron, the property of Daniel Forde, the prosecutor in the previous case; and John Manly was indicted fur purchasing some of these implements knowing them to be stolen. Forde stated that he is a smith, and keeps a forge at Ballincollig, which had been robbed several times, he could not tell by whom, the prisoners Driscoll and Murphy, who lived near him, were those he would least suspect. On the last night all his materials were taken, and he was left without any means to support his large family. The same accomplice, Timothy Sullivan, was then produced, who stated that he was present every time that forge was robbed, at which the prisoners were always present, but at the last Driscoll was not, though he got his share the plunder; part of which was sold to the prisoner Manly, who keeps an old iron standing and shop Cork, and where, the information of this accomplice, they were found Mr. Sheriff Wallis, to whom, heing questioned, Manly stated that he had bought them fairly, without any suspicion of their being stolen, and had given fair prices for them. Mr. Butterfield, for the part of Manly, stated that had known him as a tenant for several years, and always considered him an excellent unimpeachable character, admitted having promiscuously heard of his being before charged with felony. The Jury, after considering for some time, acquitted Manly, and he was discharged, with a caution to careful of his future conduct. The other prisoners were found guilty, and were sentenced to be transported for years Southern Reporter and Cork Commercial, 25 Aug 1827.

343

Maureen Withey on 3rd July 2024

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Michael Driscoll, age on arrival, 26, Per Borodino, 1828. Tried Cork 1827, 7 years for Stealing iron. DOB 1802, native place, Cork City. Catholic. Married, 1 child, Ploughman shepherd.