Connor Dwyer

341

Maureen Withey on 6th April 2025

GALWAY ASSIZES. (From the Western Argus.) Connor Dwyer was indicted for feloniously and riotously assembling, with others, at Rosepark, on the 15th of May last, with arms, in the day ; secondly, for feloniously assaulting Maria Kelly and Ellen Shaughnessy ;  thirdly, for common assault on the same. Maria Kelly, a very interesting young lady, with the sweetest voice we ever heard, was put on the table. She stated that on the 15th of May she was returning from the chapel of Shinaglish  about two o'clock in the afternoon, to Mr. Butler's of Ashfield, half a mile distant, accompanied by Miss Mahon, Ellen Shaughnessy (a maid-servant), and Bridget Ryan, wife to Mr. Butler's steward. In passing Mr. Foster's, of Rosepark, two  men came out of the lawn apparently having something concealed, one under his coat in front, the other in his coat pocket;  when they approached within about five yards they pulled out pistols ; one of them was fiddling for some time with the lock, then suddenly sprung forward and seized her by the head, tore off her headdress, and tore it in pieces; then seized her parasol and tore It also; while he was engaged in tearing it, she ran away; he pursued and overtook her, at some distance; she fell on a bank, whether from the effect of a blow   she is not conscious, but, while down, he beat her desperately with a pistol on the head. Gave her three blows, each of which cut her; one over the temple, which left her senseless for some moments. He also gave her a blow on the shoulder, and, on departing, a kick in the back. Before she was struck, she saw Ellen Shaughnessy seized by the other man. Identifies Connor Dwyer as the man who seized Ellen. Is positive of his identity. Is not aware of having ever seen him prior to the transaction. Saw him afterwards, in about five weeks, brought, with two others, a prisoner, in the lawn of Ashfield. Knew him instantly among the three  .— When she recovered, after the party went away, she walked till she got inside the gate of Ashfield, during  which she was bleeding profusely. She then got weak, Applied to the woman at the gate-house for assistance, who remained  looking at witness with her arms folded. She then went forward, aided by Miss Mahon, and the maid. Was confined to her bed some days. Dr. Mulvey attended her. When she complained of ill treatment she was receiving, the man who beat her desired her to tell her master to be a good man, and asked her would she not do so? Is governess at Mr. Butler's, where she has been these two years in in the same capacity. Cross-examined by a Juror—Prisoner did nothing to her; he was positively one of the party, and had a pistol in his hand; he and his comrades came straight up to her on the road; observed them closely, as she was satisfied they meant her injury ; had no subsequent opportunity of observing him. Ellen Shaughnessy deposed  that she was returning from mass, on the 15 th May, with Miss Kelly, Miss Mahon, and Bridget Ryan, to Mr. Butler's, where she was housemaid; that she saw two men inside the demesne wall of Rosepark, sitting on a rising ground, who had got up on the approach of witness's party, and came out on the road crossing  the wall; she observed that they had something concealed, and told Miss Kelly, who desired her not to look them but to go on her way; they were corning in a contrary direction to witness; on closing with them,  one of the men drew a pistol from his breast, the other from the hind-pocket of his coat; one seized Miss Kelly, tore off her hat and tore it ; then seized her parasol and tore it also; while doing so Miss Kelly ran: away, and was pursued.  The second man joined in the pursuit a little way. Witness screamed. The second man returned  and seized her (witness), dragging her from Miss Mahon. The man who beat Miss Kelly then came back, and both the men beat witness with pistols, tore off her bonnet and knocked her down. She got five blows with pistols on the head, four of which cut her. Both men beat her. Identifies the prisoner positively who struck her the first blow. Never knew him previously. Saw him at Ashfield after he was taken, and instantly knew him. She was three times knocked down, and bled profusely. Being asked whether she was confined, she answered, that she would not give them the satisfaction to hear that she was confined ; she bore up stoutly and did not take to her bed. A basket was here produced, containing the apparel worn by witness and Miss Kelly, which bore most horrible marks of this inhuman unmanly outrage; the remnants of two bonnets torn to tatters, and having attached masses of hair which it was necessary to cut from their heads to which they were cemented by blood—a comb broken to pieces—neckerchiefs  torn to shreds—gowns saturated with blood, &c. a most revolting spectacle ! The interpreter was directed to state to the prisoner the particulars of evidence, as he had pleaded ignorance of the English language, after which several gentlemen were called on for character. Mr. John Foster answered the call, and stated that about three years since prisoner had been a stable-boy in his employment for 12 months, and was then honest and quiet, he latterly lived by working as labourer about the country. a Judge BURTON summed up; the Jury, alter a short absence, brought in a verdict of Guilty on all the counts. Morning Herald, 20 Aug 1831.

341

Maureen Withey on 6th April 2025

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Connor Dwyer, age on arrival, 21, per Norfolk (3) 1832, Tried at Galway, 1831, 14 years, for Combination. DOB, 1811, Native place, Galway. Single. Catholic. Ploughman. Died 1836, at Bathurst Hospital.