William Maher

71

Robin Sharkey on 1st July 2022

William Maher, aged 40,was transported for Life on convict ship ‘Hive’ for the crime of horse stealing. He had been tried in Dublin on 21 June 1835 at the Commission hearings. The report of his trial follows: Freemans Journal (Ireland), 22 June 1835 p.3 "COMMISSION – yesterday "The Lord Chief Justice and Baron foster entered the courthouse colour green street column at 10:00 o'clock and immediately after, a county jury was sworn. "A middle aged, meanly dressed man named William Maher was placed at the bar charged with having stolen a pony mare, the property of a man named Thomas Tyrrell." Summarising: Tyrell lived in county Wicklow about 40 miles from Dublin. He said that he had left home on the 5th May [1835] for a couple of days and on his return had discovered his pony mare had been stolen. A policeman came across the prisoner on the 8th May with the pony in his possession. The prisoner told him he’d bought the pony from a man he did not know on the road at the seven churches. Another policeman had also met the prisoner with the pony and gave evidence that the prisoner told him he’d bought the animal at the Fair of Red Cross. But his manner aroused the policeman's suspicion and he had taken him into custody. The owner, Thomas Tyrrell, subsequently identified the pony at livery stables in Smithfield. CONVICT SHIP INDENT: William Maher, per Hive 2 arriving on 24 December 1833. Convict; Aged: 40 years, Can both read or write, Roman Catholic, single, Born at Wicklow County, a farm servant. Crime: Horse stealing; Tried at Dublin, 20 June 1835; Sentence: LIFE Previous convictions: None Height: 5ft 6 inches; Complexion: dark ruddy; Hair: brown mixed with grey; Eyes: dark hazel. 1843 Ticket of Leave. Number: 43/1658; Allowed to remain in the District of Campbelltown; Name: William Maher; Place of Trial: Dublin, Ship: Hive, Year: 1835 [see Government Gazette 21 July 1843, p.938 “THE undermentioned Prisoners of the Crown have obtained Tickets of Leave since the last day of publication: —“] 1847, William Maher, Arrived per ship Hive, 2, Recommended date 1847; Original Remarks: Conditional Pardon 1848 CONDITIONAL PARDON - William Mag]her is now aged about 53 years. Maitland Mercury 24 May, 1848, p.4 The issue of Conditional Pardons were authorised by Her Majesty to the following undermentioned persons, dated 1 March 1848: Maher William, Hive 2