Dennis Ring

343

Maureen Withey on 28th July 2025

Denis Ring was indicted as a vagrant. Mr. High Constable, deposed that the prisoner was discovered on Saturday, by his Worship the Mayor  singing ballads. of the most disgraceful and immoral tendency, and that when about to be taken, he ran away: witness pursued and overtook him. On prisoner being examined, a small bag full of ballads, was found with some of them (marked) Capt Rock, &c.; and marks of being flogged were discovered on his back. The prisoner said that he was in the army, and that that he was punished for drunkenness. His Lordship in the Jury said, that this was a case requiring their most serious attention; the system of ballad singing was disgracing and demoralising the lower orders of the country, and he declared it as his opinion, that it was this species of infamy that was stirring up the young blood of the country, and led to those horrid cases of outrages and rape that were disgracing the kingdom. He would send up those that were found in the prisoner's possession, and they would satisfy themselves as to their evil tendency. The prisoner was instantly found Guilty. Justice Jess then addressed the prisoner. He said he was pleased that at last an effort was about to be made to put down the abominable system of ballad singing, which led to such dreadful consequences in the country. Ballads of the description found on the prisoner were calculated to lead away the minds of the foolish and ignorant, who were but too ready to sip of the poison of sedition and immorality, from such miscreants as the prisoner. It was really creditable to the City of Cork, to have such active officers to arrest such intruders, and he only hoped for the benefit of Cork and the good of the Community at large, that they would persevere until they got rid of such a nuisance—when he desired them to persevere, he did not intend that they should confine their efforts, to the apprehension of those vending them, he should be more pleased to hear of their succeeding in the apprehension of the Printers, who, of the two, were more culpable. The prisoner, unless he should procure bail for his future good behaviour, was sentenced to be transported for seven years. Cork Constitution, 30 Aug 1827.

343

Maureen Withey on 3rd December 2024

Irish Archives. Ireland- Australia Database. Doc Ref: PPC 3272. Doc Date: 29/11/1827. Denis Ring, tried Cork, for Vagrancy, transported for 7 years. Petitioner- Convict. Convict has a wife and family (no details given). States he lived in Mallow, Co Cork before enlisting in the 66th Regiment of Foot in 1809 in which he served as a Private Soldier till 1818. On his return from Service he lost the use of his left hand and was forced to move to Cork City to earn a living singing songs.

56

Wendy Smith on 12th February 2020

The Indentures state that Dennis Ring was 37 years old. He could read and write; Religion Catholic: status married with 2 children and a native of County Cork. His occupation was an in-door and out-door servant. He was convict of Vagrancy on 21 August 1828 in Cork and sentenced to 7 years. He had no prior convictions. Physical attributes: Height 5 feet 5 inches; complexion dark ruddy; hair dark brown and eyes hazel. Transport number 15. Assigned on arrival to Mr J. Walker, Bathurst.