Nicholas Nugent

343

Maureen Withey on 10th July 2024

CORRECTION. Irish Convict Database does not state Nicholas Nugent went to Norfolk Island.

343

Maureen Withey on 10th July 2024

MAYO ASSIZES. Nicholas Nugent was indicted in respect of Margaret Sullivan; on the 8th of July last. Margaret Sullivan sworn and examined—Lives in Belderig, in this county. Knows the prisoner, who is one of the water guards. Was ill until a fortnight previous to the 8th of July. Prisoner came into her house on the morning of the 8th of July; .it was on Sunday. Witness is married. Her husband was from home. A servant girl was in the house, whom the prisoner sent for a half-pint of whisky. Prisoner went out of the house, and witness went and sat outside the door. Prisoner returned, and went into the house, and came out in a minute again, and put two hands under her arms, and dragged her towards the door and into the house. (Witness here described the particulars.) Prisoner told her that he would give her 10£ not to say anything to her husband of the transaction. Told her husband in a week afterwards. Nugent came in again the same day, but witness had no conversation with him. The cross-examination of this woman lasted about two hours, but she varied very little from her direct evidence.—The prisoner WAS lodging in her house for three-quarters of a year. Had left it for three months before this transaction. There was only one room in the house. Prisoner often slept in that room, of course, and her husband sometimes slept out of a night. The prisoner used often come in of a morning and strip himself and go to bed, after his fatigue from being on duty at night. Prisoner came back at night, when witness and her husband were in bed. Prisoner called for the whisky, and gave some to the girl. Prisoner was three times afterwards in the house. Sent the maid for the prisoner the morning before she swore her information. Her husband was in the house at the time. Prisoner came, and she told him upon her two bare knees that her death was upon him. Was often alone in the day time with prisoner. Witness told her husband at the end of the week, for she thought she would not live. Anthony Sullivan (the husband) corroborated the testimony of the last witness. Cross-examined by Mr. Baker—is game-keeper to Mr. Knox, and slept about half a dozen times from home. Anne McHale sworn and examined—Was sent by prosecutrix with some milk to the prisoner after the Sunday that this affair happened, and got some meal from the prisoner. The morning this occurred, recollects going for some whiskey. Was not an hour away. When she returned she found prosecutrix sitting by the side of the bed, as she was when witness left her. Prosecutrix told her that Nugent had gone to the watchhouse. Prisoner and prosecutrix were as free as after this transaction. His lordship addressed the Jury at great length. They retired, and remained in deliberation for about an hour and a ball. On their return they announced a verdict of Guilty. The Jury recommended the prisoner to mercy. English Chronicle, 25 Aug 1827. -------------------------------------------------------------- MAYO ASSIZES. THE KING v. NUGENT. A curious occurrence took place in reference to the trial of Nugent. — Mr. Christy (one of the Jury) came forward— My Lord, I have not agreed to the verdict returned last night by my fellow jurors? The Judge, with evident amazement, asked the Juror for an explanation of the transaction ? (A long dialogue, in a suppressed tone of voice, commenced. The Learned Judge did not appear satisfied, and desired Mr. Christy to write his sentiments and give them to him. Accordingly, at an advanced hour of the day, Mr. Christy appeared before his Lordship with the paper as de-ired.) The Judge.-— ls this letter, Sir, your deliberate and explicit sentiments on this subject ? Mr. Christy.— lt is, my Lord. I would not concur in the verdict if there were no recommendation in favour of the prisoner. Under the impression that the prisoner should be recommended to mercy, I agreed to the verdict. (It appeared that the Judge gathered from the conversation with the Juror in the morning, that he did not conceive himself justified in agreeing to a verdict that would deprive a man of life, for the commission of such a crime). The Judge— l should be wholly forgetful of my duty, and unworthy to pre.-side here, if I suffered an occurrence of this kind to pass unnoticed. The expressions which were made use of to me this morning, were very different from what are contained in this paper. At the time the observations were addressed to me this morning— l must say I was appalled — l was struck with horror; but as they are not contained in this paper. I do not feel myself at liberty lo mention them. I should be wanting in duty to myself if I did not express a strong feeling of disapprobation of such conduct as was represented to me this morning. I feel gratified, however, to find that the sentiments in this paper do not convey what the language of this morning did; for it contained expressions at which every feeling of religion, every feeling of humanity, and every feeling of duty, should revolt, and at at which every man possessed of a spark of religion, or humanity, or integrity, ought to be appalled and struck with horror; for it amounted to this, that a Juror had assented to a verdict convicting a man of a capital offence when he did not concur in that verdict. I am willing to admit that I have been mistaken, and I feel a satisfaction in thinking that this has been the case. ... ... Morning Post, 29 Aug 1827. The Lord Lieutenant has been pleased to respite Nicholas Nugent, who was sentenced to death at  Mayo Assizes, till further pleasure. Tipperary Free Press, 8 Sep 1827.

343

Maureen Withey on 10th July 2024

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Nicholas Nugent, age on arrival, 30, Per Borodino, 1828. Tried Castlebar Mayo Co, 1827, Life for Rape. DOB 1798, native place, Louth Co. Single. Catholic. Ploughman seaman. Remarks: Norfolk Island.