Maurice Hayes

343

Maureen Withey on 5th July 2024

Maurice Haws who had been convicted of stealing a cow, and Timothy Healy of stealing two sheep, and who had been ordered for execution, but had been recommended by the Grand Jury, were then placed at the bar, and their sentence was remitted to transportation. Southern Reporter, 28 Aug 1827.

343

Maureen Withey on 4th July 2024

CITY ASSIZES, WEDNESDAY, Aug. 22. Maurice Hayes was indicted for stealing a cow, the property of Dr. Henry Rogers. John Burke being sworn, stated that he had charge of Dr. Rogers's cattle, at his ground at Killeagh, and that one of the cows, remarkable one, having no horns, had been stolen from field Wednesday morning, the hide of which was afterwards found at Mr. Hornibrook's tan yard in Cork, where it appeared to have been sold for the prisoner, by a man named Regan, who had assisted in the killing it at at the slaughter-house, and to whom he said had got her from a brother in law of his in part payment for money which he owed him. Another witness corroborated the evidence against the prisoner. being called on, the prisoner said he had no witness to produce in contradiction of the charge, but occupied a considerable time detail of circumstances, in the course of which, he asserted that he had got the Cow from person named Bransfield, a steward in Roger’s service, to whom had afterwards given the money for which he had sold her. In support of this statement, he appealed to Sheriff Wallis, who deposed that on his being arrested, he had made similar statement, and on subsequent conversation with Dr. Rogers, (the Dr,) had told him that he did suspect some of his people at home of having stolen the cow. In explanation of this however, Dr. R. stated that his suspicion did not allude to his Steward , but to a person who was brother-in-law to prisoner. This explanation immediately removed the impression created favourable to the prisoner, and which was further weakened the evidence of whom, being produced, denied all knowledge of the prisoner, or that had ever the least dealing with him. To questions, however, by the prisoner, he answered in a hesitating manner, which still left shadow of doubt unfavourable to his assertion. The prisoner then referred his story to Mrs. Catherine Campbell, who public house, having been present and having overheard the conversation between them in her tap-room, but being sent for and examined, she said, although she knew the prisoner’s person, she had no recollection of Bransfield, or any conversation, of his asked for pen and ink mark notes, which he was paying for cow Bransfield—tho’ he may have got ink from her servant. Garrett Fitzgerald  Butcher, was then produced by the prisoner, who stated, that his way to Killeagh fair, with number of other persons, he had overtaken gig, in which the prisoner and Bransfield were sitting ; being tired, he asked them for a seat, to which they consented, but on getting in, it was so small, he was obliged to get outside— had doubt of Bransfield’s person, and in the course of a long examination persevered in his statement consistently ; but was not able to describe the gig, jaunting car distinctly. Bransfield being recalled, denied the entire, but acknowledged that he was intoxicated his way home that day, and that it was in Dr. Rogers’s Dennett he was. Another witness Hatler was then produced ; who corroborated many of the circumstances stated by the last witness, with whom he had travelled to the fair, until he got into the Dennett, when they parted. The case being closed his Lordship directed attention to the principal points of the case, and the various contradictions, and inconsistencies in the evidence of the witnesses, and left entirely for their consideration to which they would attach credit. Before retiring one of the Jury directed the attention of the Court to the statement of the prisoner to one of the men employed slaughter the cow, that he had got it from his brother-in-law, in part payment of money he owed him, and which considered material fact in the evidence. The Court concurred with the Juror on this point. They then retired, and after being some time enclosed returned their verdict Guilty. Sentence postponed. Southern Reporter, 25 Aug 1827.

343

Maureen Withey on 4th July 2024

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Maurice Hayes, age on arrival, 34, Per Borodino, 1828. Tried Cork 1827, 7 years for Stealing cows. DOB 1794, native place, Cork Co. Catholic. Married, 2 children. Butcher.