Edward Eustace

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 16th November 2021

Carlow. The Assizes in and for this county commenced on Monday, July 21. and terminated on Tuesday. The Right Hon. Lord Norbury sat in the Nisi Prius Court, and Mr. Justice Daly in the Crown Court. His charge to the Grand Jury was concise, but very pointed. He regretted to see a heavy Calendar as the number of prisoners, but congratulated the county, that no extraordinary crime appeared amongst them, except felonies committed in the seizures of provisions. This his Lordship considered a very heinous offence, meriting the severest punishment, particularly when it appeared that the real poor were deluded, and stimulated to plunder, by those who could not plead indigence as an excuse. The Petit Jury being sworn, and Bills of Indictment sent down from the Grand Jury, the Clerk of the Crown arraigned Owen Neill, Bryan Neill, Edward Eustace, John Nowlan, Michael Nowlan, John Lennon, Edward Lennon, James Tobin, Michael Kinshalea, Patrick Shahene and Margaret Nowlan, all included in one indictment, charging that they, the 8th June, burglariously broke and entered the dwelling-house of Michael Rourke, with intent to steal. Also, for a robbery in the dwelling-house; and for stealing to the value of five shillings. Owen Neill and Bryan Neill, were then put on trial. Michael Rourke, examined by Mr. Ridgeway, identified each of the prisoners, as the persons who committed the offences charged, and laid the Sheriff's rod on each of their heads. He proved the taking of his potatoes and of his money, by clear and circumstantial evidence. On cross-examination, Mr MacNally, he ... all the facts he had sworn-denied he had ever been charged with stealing potatoes; the potatoes stolen from him were his own property, honestly acquired ; that he was in the house when it was attacked, and not the house of Bryan Neill during the time of the robbery; … they were all his near neighbours; the two Lennons had guns. On the part of the prisoners, Mr. Mac examined Thomas Carney, a farmer; proved that James Tobin, and Michael Kinshalea were both in the house on the evening, and during the whole of the whole of the night of the 8th June; that they slept there : retired to bed at ten ; and he saw them rise in the morning. Similar defences were set up by the other prisoners. The several witnesses were cross-examined Mr. Ridgeway, and after an impartial and perspicuous charge from the Learned Judge, all the prisoners were found Guilty, and afterwards received sentence of death. Saunder’s News-Letter, 6 Aug 1817.

Level 347

Maureen Withey on 12th November 2021

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. Edward Eustace, age on arrival, 35, per Earl St Vincent (1) 1818, Tried at Carlow, 1817, Life. DOB, 1783, Native place, Carlow Co. Labourer.