Michael Kelly

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Maureen Withey on 7th March 2025

GALWAY ASSIZES Monday, March 26. Michael Kelly, John Kelly, Pat. Cunnane, and John Melvin, were indicted for the robbery of arms, and administering unlawful oaths on the night of the 17th of September last. They were prosecuted two of their own accomplices, whose testimony was strongly supported by the evidence a man named Lyster. gate-keeper and wood-ranger to Mr. Mark Brown, of Rockfield, from whom they took a gun, shot-bag, and powder-horn. An alibi was attempted be proved in favor of Michael Kelly, by a farmer named Hinds, in whose service Kelly was. The Rev. Father Anthony Fahy having been sworn as to the characters of the several prisoners deposed, that he was their Pastor; that he knew the prisoners by character, but not personally; that they were all very good boys, and had the very best character and minded their religious duties. His Reverence, when he was put upon the cross- by Counsellor Daniel, swore that he never knew much Terryism to exist in his parish near Gort, and that no man of previous good character was connected with the system. Here the learned Judge recapitulated the evidence, pointing out some small but not material discrepancies in the part of the evidence given by Lyster and his wife, and reminding the Jury how scrupulously they should attend to the testimony of accomplices, and see that it was borne out other corroborating evidence or circumstances. The Jury retired, and after about ten minutes returned with verdict, guilty. Two of them were afterwards recommended to mercy. Dublin Evening Packet, 29 March 1832, and Warder and Dublin Weekly Mail, 31 March 1832.

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Rachel Gregg on 24th February 2021

Member of the Galway Whiteboys