John Hagan

342

Maureen Withey on 23rd April 2025

Robbery in this City. Henry Hollands, John Russell, and John Hagan, were indicted for feloniously and burglariously entering the home of Robert Lamrock, Fen quay-street, and robbing it of a quantity of tobacco the morning of the 10 September last. Robert Lamrock proved the breaking  open of his house, and the stealing from it of a piece tobacco, winch afterwards got in the Mayor’s office—the robbers had effected an entrance into the shop. James Nolis—Recollects passing Mr. Lamrock’s house on the morning of the th Sept, last; observed the cellar door open, and went and knocked to awaken the inmates; after rapping the door, observed man issuing from the cellar, and instantly seized him; identifies the prisoner  Hagan, is the person whom secured, a young man, (Mr. Dean,) was in company with witness, and assisted him in securing Hagan; while he had hold Hagan, Hollands made his appearance out of the cellar; had hold Hagan with his left hand, and immediately caught hold of Hollands with his right ; not able to hold both, and Hollands being a very powerful man, burst from witness and made off. Cross-examined by Mr. Shannon—Had hold Hollands, and is quite sure of him ; could not be mistaken in either him or Hagan, as both the prisoners lived in the city; saw them often before ; there was communication from the shop the cellar. James Menan (an approver)—Knows the three prisoners ; identifies them, met them on the night of the 10th September last, and went with them to Mr. Lamrock’s ; they pulled open the cellar door, and Hollands and Russell went in, short time  after Hollands reached out to witness a small roll of tobacco; went and hid it, and returning saw two young men coming down the street; witness and Russell then ran down Linenhall-street, and got round to gate ; they left Hollands and Hagan in the cellar; getting back to the gate Hollands came running towards them they then went to the place where  the bad women stop ; they took the tobacco with them, they hid it; witness afterwards  pointed out where it was to Mr. Kitchen, who showed the place to the Sheriff; Russell assisted in pulling the cellar door. Cross examined Mr. Shannon—Came to the table out of the dock; Mr. Rankin charged  witness with stealing sugar; never was in gaol for stealing from Mr. Steen ; was not charged with stealing tub of clothes from Mr. Patterson; was not charged for stealing from Hugh M‘Keown ; witness assisted in the lifting of the cellar door; sees no other in Court except Mr. Shannon himself who deserves the gallows.—(Laughter.) Samuel Kitchen, Governor the Gaol —The last witness took him to where the tobacco was secreted. The Jury immediately found the prisoners guilty.  Baron Pennefather then said, they had been found guilty of burglary, and this was not their first offence, he had to inform them that the penalty for that crime was forfeiture of life, he would, however, recommend them mercy, but he must tell them, that, even though his recommendation was attended to, they could not expect anything but banishment  out of the country for life. Before leaving the bar, Russell said, Thank you, my Lord, for your advice, but never knew any one prosper after it.”  Londonderry Sentinel, 24 March 1832.

342

Maureen Withey on 23rd April 2025

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. John Hagan, alias Hogan, age on arrival, 18, per Royal Admiral (2) 1833, Tried 1832, at Londonderry Derry Co, Life for Burglary. DOB, 1815, native place, Derry. Single. Catholic, Shoemaker.