Robert Mcmahon

341

Maureen Withey on 30th July 2024

A Convert. One of the illustrious Converts, named Robert M'Mahon, has been found guilty of bigamy at the Ennis Assizes. Tipperary Free Press, 14 March 1827. PROSECUTION FOR BIGAMY—ANOTHER PROSELYTE TO THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. The King, v. Robert McMahon. March 8.—The case for the prosecution was conducted by Mr. Woulfe. Michael Connellan, examined.—Stated that he was brother to Mary Connellan, otherwise M‘Mahon, the first wife of the prisoner; she was married to the prisoner in the year 1805, by the Roman Catholic Priest of the Parish of Tulla; both parties were Roman Catholics; the ceremony was such as was usually performed by Priests in celebrating a marriage; part of the ceremony was in Latin, which witness did not understand, but part was Irish, which he understood well; the parties accepted each other for man and wife, and the Priest joined their hands ; put the ring on the woman, blessed and prayed for them ; they lived together for about four years, and had children ; the prisoner then left his wife; did not see the prisoner for many years after; has often seen the prisoner at mass before the marriage, and after the marriage; knew him to be a Roman Catholic; her sister is not. Cross-examined by Mr. 8 not know of any for the prisoner leaving his wife and children. Joan Birmingham, examined.—Is mother to Mary Birmingham ; the prisoner married Mary Birmingham, at Kilrush, in the year 1814; the Priest married them; they were both Catholics; marriage performed in the usual way; witness was present at it; they had four children; they lived together four years; the prisoner then disappeared ; witness does not know where he went; heard he went off some- where, and got another wife; did not know at the time that the prisoner married the daughter, that the prisoner had another wife; after the prisoner left her daughter, she made enquiries about him, and then found that he had a wife still living; her daughter then married again, and is now living with her real husband. Cross-examined by Mr. Davoren.—Never knew M'Mahon, the prisoner, to go to Church; did not know he was a Protestant, on the contrary he went to Mass; was not present when any Priest rebuked the prisoner for going to Church ; never heard of the prisoner being a Protestant till lately. Michael Culligan, a paper writing which he produces to. Have been written by the witness for the prisoner, and by his instructions—it it pur- ported to be a memorial or petition from the prisoner, addressed to the Rev Mr. Roughan ; it was written just before the last Assizes; he read it to prisoner and gave it to him. The paper was then, after some objections which were overruled, read; its perusal excited much merriment ; it entweated the Reverend Gentleman, to whom it was addressed, to interfere on behalf of the prisoner; acknowledged the grievous crime he had committed, and stated excuses for the Bigamy, or, to spake more truly, Polygamy, he was guiltyof ; that he left his first wife for her misconduct, and his second for the same reason; and that he had married his third wife, with the expectation of getting a divorce from the two first. Culligan was cross-examined by Mr. Davoren.— Knows nothing of the prisoner's religion ; wrote down faithfully what the prisoner what the prisoner desired him ; the ‘ Polygamy’ was introduced by the witness; it was the proper word to use when a man had three wives ; the prisoner's third wife was the widow of a Smith, and the was of the same trade; prisoner told witness that before he married the third wife, he used to be doing journey work for and that her character having suffered, the prisoner married her. Mr. Woulfe closed his case. The defence relied upon was—that the first marriage was illegal, by reason of the prisoner being a Protestant ; to prove this fact, witnesses were produced. Scales a policeman, stated he knew the prisoner; saw him at Church 12 or 13 years ago ; saw him there more than once. Cross-.examined by Mr. Woulfe—Did not know or ever see the prisoner till after his marriage with his second wife; witness is a Clare man ; is a Protestant ; never saw prisoner at mass; witness never was at mass ; .... (The report continues)... Dublin Morning Register, 12 March 1827.

341

Maureen Withey on 30th July 2024

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Robert McMahon, age on arrival, 45, per Marquis of Huntley (2) 1828. Tried 1827, at Clare Co, 7 years, for Bigamy. DOB, 1783, native place, Clare Co. Married, 1 child. Protestant. Trade, Blacksmith.