Thomas Stapleton

341

Maureen Withey on 6th July 2024

Wm. Malone, Thomas Stapleton, Robert Mara, and John White, were indicted for stealing from the person of John Sullivan, one note of the value of £3, and two notes of the value of each. John Sullivan sworn.—Recollects the 20th June last; was on the Quay between 7 and 8 o’clock in the morning ; had it in his pocket—one £5 note of the Provincial Bank of Wexford, and two notes of the Bank of Ireland ; was robbed of his money (identified three of the prisoners as of those who robbed him, Malone, Mara and Stapleton). He was near the Tower, looking in at window, where there were pictures (Mr. Castelli's), waiting  for a wan who was to meet him there; walked up and down ; saw the little fellow (Stapleton) near the door, who made a wonder of seeing a picture, and said him, oh ! see the devil”—the big fellow (Malone) then jostled witness, and put his arm round bis neck, and Mara jostled between him and Stapleton who stretched out his hand ; they then ran away, and he put his hand to his pocket and found his money gone ; called oat that he was robbed ; asked a boy to assist him, who replied, that it was Malone the tipper, and he would be afraid lest he would be killed ; is certain that he bad the money in his pocket the minute before, as he felt it ; it was wrapped in paper in his waistcoat pocket; gave the alarm to the constables saw the money again the same morning—a 30s note in shoemaker’s shop, and note with Pepper the constable ; is certain they were same notes ; two of them were endorsed by a man named Michael Gallagher in witness’s presence, on the 17th June, as witness’s thumb was hurt at the time and he could not write, and asked Gallagher to endorse them for him. He did so on the back of the notes, Michael Gallagher. Saw four persons run away when he was robbed, though he recollects only three being about him. Counsellor Hassard, on the part of Stapleton and Counsellor Walsh on the part of Mara, cross-examined witness but could not shake his direct testimony in the slightest degree. Julia Sullivan—Lives Stephen-street; keeps a shoemaker’s shop ; between seven and eight o’clock on the morning of the 20th of June, two boys came into her shop, one of whom (identified White as the person) bought pair of shoes for 6s and gave SOs note to pay for them, which she sent by her servant girl to Miss Manning’s, next door, for change, who changed it, and she gave the change to the boy. Frances Moore—ls servant to the last .witness; saw White that money in the shop, and offered note to Miss Manning, who changed it; her mistress gave change to boy, and went away, Catherine Manning—Gave change of note to the last witness had the note till Mr. Sullivan came for it in half an hour after ; certain it was the same note ; marked her name on it; identified her mark now on it. William Sullivan. —The note now handed him is the same he received from Miss Manning, when was called on by Mr. Wright for it. James Walsh—Lives with Mr. Murphy, publican, the Mayor’s Walk; recollects the four prisoners (identified them) coming into the house on the 20th June, between seven and eight o’clock the morning ; they called for half a gallon of beer and got it; wanted change of note ; don’t know which of them gave the note, it was laid on the table they were sitting round; master sent witness for change of it; changed it at Mrs. Purcell’s; witness did not mark the note; brought the change, and counted to the boys; Malone reckoned it after him and paid witness for the beer ; saw his roaster write the note before getting change for it; but knows not what wrote does not know what Malone did with the change, left the room when paid for the beer. Mary Purcell—Recollects changing note for Mr. Murphy’s boy; did not mark it when she took it, but did before she gave it to Pepper the constable in hour after she took it; it was locked in drawer to which no person had access but herself; had no other note at the time ; identifies the one now shown her, as same she changed and marked. Prosecutor here identified the note by Gallagher’s mark. To question from prisoners’ counsel said—that Gallagher had never marked notes for him before. Mr Gallagher.—Knows the prosecutor, John Sullivan; recollects marking two notes for him the 17th of June, and a £3 note (witness here identified his writing on the notes); never endorsed any notes for Sullivan before is clerk to Mr. Charles Tottenham, near Hoss. Cross-examined—How could you distinguish them notes from the many you may have endorsed before, Never in any instance endorsed a note before with his own name. How did you mark them? Always put the name of the person got them from on them. The case here closed, and the Jury retired for about ten minutes, and returned verdict Guilty against all the prisoners—transportation for seven years. Waterford Mail, 8 Aug 1827.

341

Maureen Withey on 6th July 2024

Irish Convict Database by Peter Mayberry. Thomas Stapleton, age on arrival, 14, Per Borodino, 1828. Tried Waterford, 1827, 7 years for Robbery in street. DOB 1814, native place, Kilkenny Co. Single. Catholic. Errand boy.