James Slattery

71

Robin Sharkey on 6th July 2022

________________________________________ IRISH CRIME The Dublin Journal, Friday the 25th March 1825, p.3 "Clonmel Assizes “On Friday, several cases of petty larceny and coining were disposed of but the only case of any interest reported in the Clonmel paper is the following: “JAMES SLATTERY, otherwise Jackson, an ill looking wretch, was placed at the bar charged with gross and corrupt perjury in having sworn before Bradshaw, Bagwell and Chadwick Esquires, Magistrates, that he was one of the party which attacked the House of the light ever-to-be-regretted Captain Hamerton, for firearms, whereas in truth and in fact he was at that very time a prisoner in the Gaol of Clonmel. "BB Bradshaw, Esq, deposed that he was a magistrate and on the 14th of October last [ie 1824] the prisoner came to him at Gambon's town and having mentioned the nature of his errand, it was arranged that at 9:00 o'clock his information would be taken. Conceiving the matter of importance he [Mr Bradshaw], Mr Bagwell and Mr Chadwick repaired to the police barracks at Lisronagh, when a most minute and lengthened examination of the prisoner took place, touching the dreadful outrage at Hamerton and with the persons said to be implicated in it, which did not terminate before 1:00 o'clock next morning, when his informations were taken on which two men were apprehended. They were however afterwards enlarged. The informations were here read by the Clerk of the Crown in which the particulars of the attack were fully set forth and with so much plausibility to, as to deceive the most cautious. "Mr Cleary, deputy gaoler, proved that at the time of Mr Hamilton's murder the prisoner had been in his custody, and for several months previous, on a charge of robbery. "John Bagwell, Esq, corroborated the testimony given by Mr Bradshaw and added that when the prisoner came before him, he appeared quite exhausted and conscience struck(?) for having participated in so heinous an offence, and acted his part so well as to induce Mr Bagwell to give him nourishment to keep up his spirits. "Sergeant Barnes deposed to his having the prisoner in charge. To prisoner: I ask you, were you and I not drinking the whole of that day? Witness: I am not in the habit of drinking with prisoners, I was no prisoner, you are an infernal liar. "The prisoner alleged drunkenness as a plea for his crime and even insisted that the magistrates had contributed to it. He was, without hesitation convicted. Mr justice more then said: you bracket addressing the prisoner] called the policeman an infernal liar I did not wish to make any observations at the time on such intemperance but it now appears that you [newspaper unable to be read further]

343

Maureen Withey on 11th January 2021

Irish Convict Database, by Peter Mayberry. James Slattery, age 30, per Sir Godfrey Webster (2) (1826), Tried Clonmel Tipperary Co. 1825, 7 years. DOB, 1796. --------------------------------------------------- 1828 Census Index. James Slattery, per Sir Godfrey Webster, sentence 2 years, Moreton Bay. --------------------------------------------------- Moreton Bay Convict Register. James Slattery, per Sir G. Webster 2, Tried at Tipperary, Mar 1825, for Perjury. 7 years, Trade: Law Clerk. Colonial Conviction: Gen Sessions, Sydney, 6 Jun 1827, Runaway and an incorrigible character. 2 years. Returned to Sydney, 21 Jun 1829. Description: James Slattery, native of Clonnel, 5 ft 5 ¾ ins; sallow comp, brown hair, grey eyes, catholic. --------------------------------------------------- Raising the Wind.- A man named James Slattery, a prisoner of the crown, was brought before the Police, who were for some time upon the look out for him, yesterday, on the following charge; it appeared that, about a month since, the prisoner called at the house of Mr. Girard, baker, in Hunter-street, and after requesting a private audience, informed him that on a particular night, a party, amongst whom were some of his own men, were to plunder his house, assuring him that he had positive knowledge of the fact, and finishing his story by a request for half a crown. Mr. Girard immediately gave information to the Superintendent of Police, who ordered out parties of constables in quest of these robbers in nubibus, and amongst others, Chapman, who passed two nights without sleep, in consequence of this ingenious gentlemen's contrivance to “raise the wind." It appeared also, that on the same day he played the same farce over with Mr. Browne, of Charlotte-place, who accordingly fortified his premises, and also with Mr. Robert Cooper, who, with his entire family were up two whole nights expecting an attack; and a day or two after Robert Campbell, sen. Esq. and Mr. Ramsay, were thrown into the same state of alarm. From each of these gentlemen the prisoner either obtained money, or a promise of a reward, should his information prove correct; when, at last to wind up the tale, he sent a letter to Mr. Cooper, informing him that having mentioned what had come to his knowledge to his overseer ; he had reported the circumstance, and the parties who were to have committed the robberies were taken into custody. Upon being asked what he had to state in his defence, the prisoner requested to speak in private with Captain Rossi, as he had something particular to acquaint him with. This, however, would not avail, and James Slattery alias Jeremy Diddler, was sentenced to receive 100 lashes as a reward for his important disclosures. Sydney Gazette, 4 May 1827. ------------------------------------------------- James Slattery, the alarmist, on whose information Messrs. Cooper. Girard, &c. as we stated some time since, were kept for several successive nights in apprehension of being visited by robbers, and whose impositions were punished by the infliction of 100 lashes, was brought before the Police on Wednesday, charged with absconding from the road party to which he was attached. On his person were found several papers purporting to be drawn by different persons, introducing the prisoner under a different name in each paper to other individuals, stating that he had information of a most particular nature to communicate, but, that the communication could only be made in a private interview. It appeared also that the prisoner had practised his impositions on Mrs. Birnie, of Sydney, and on Mrs. Broughton. The Bench, under all the circumstances of the case, directed the prisoner to be removed to a penal settlement for two years. It now appears, it was on this fellow's information that the military were ordered to surround the prisoners' barracks, and patrole the streets some time since, under an apprehension of a rising amongst the prisoners." The Monitor, 12 Jun 1827. -------------------------------------------------- Convict Index, 1791-1873. James Slattery, per Sir Godfrey Webster, 1826, Certificate of Freedom, 1 Jun 1832. 32/0531. -------------------------------------------------- James Slattery, the alarmist, was placed at the bar on a charge of prigging two gig seats. Many of our readers may remember, between four and five years ago, a man humbugging Messrs. Girard and R. Cooper very prettily, by stating that on such a night their premises would be robbed. In consequence, all the posse commitatis were put into requisition, but not even a mouse wagged his tail in the vicinity of their dwellings, and having tried it on for several times, he was bowled out, and sentenced 100 lashes. James Slattery, now before the Court, was the man in question, and it appeared that the previous evening he went into a house on the Rocks, and offered two gig seats for sale. A constable on the spot grabbed him, and took him to the watch-house. He now stated that a woman had given them to him for sale, but as to her name, why it had quite slipped his memory, for which he was very sorry, but probably in the course of a week he might be able to discover it. This would not do, and the Bench sent him to tell his tale to a Jury. Sydney Herald, 20 Aug 1832.