Gossip in the First Decade of Victoria's Reign Part 16

Story of an Irish informer-Steam Cars-Sale of Vauxhall Gardens-First Jewish Baronet-New Railways opened-High tide-Fire at the Tower-Birth of Prince of Wales-His patent as such-The Thames at length tunnelled-Antiquities found in Royal Exchange.

We have known something about Irish crime, but the following true tale takes a lot of beating. On the last day of the Clonmel a.s.sizes, in July, Judge Torrens heard a case of arson, in which the prisoners, who were four in number, were all acquitted, after a trial which lasted eight hours.

The princ.i.p.al witness for the prosecution was an approver, named Lysaght; and, in all the annals of informers, it would be extremely difficult to find a parallel to this same Lysaght. Indeed, the admission by the Crown of the testimony of such a miscreant, in the matter of life or death, appears to be highly reprehensible, as the following abstract of his evidence will plainly evince:

John Lysaght examined: I remember the time when Walsh's house was burnt. Anthony Ryan came to me before the house was burned to borrow a gun. I brought it to him on a Monday night, and he told me to come with him to McCarthy's house, who wanted to see me. I went to McCarthy's, and near his place was an old house, in which some of our party were a.s.sembled. McCarthy brought some bread and spirits, and we took share of it. McCarthy asked me if I would go with the men to frighten Walsh, and burn the house. I promised to do so, and he then furnished us with powder and ball; we went down to the river side, and McCarthy gave his pistols and 7/6 in money to Anthony Ryan. He gave me some powder, flax, and something like saltpetre, and showed me, by putting some powder into the pan, and snapping it, how the flax was to be lighted. McCarthy then parted with us, and we, after eating the bread and meat, went to Walsh's. I lighted the tow, and Paddy Ryan put the fire into the roof. I and two of the party then went and stood sentry near the road. After a time, I heard a noise, and ran back to give an alarm. We then left, and went by Toom homewards, and separated near Marshall's gate; this was about three or four in the morning. I and Paddy Ryan had shot guns, Ned Ryan had a long one, Darby Ryan a bayonet on a pole, and the two Ryans had McCarthy's pistols. We left the house after it was in flames. I knew a man named Bryan Noonan; he is dead.

Judge Torrens: Was it you murdered Noonan?

Witness: No. I joined in it.

Mr. Hatch.e.l.l: How many men did you murder before this?

Witness: None.

You say it was Anthony Ryan went to you to get the gun?-It was.

He has, since, been transported?-Yes.

You went with the party to the burning for the love of amus.e.m.e.nt?-They induced me to go with them, but did not force me; I was not very unwilling to go after getting the liquor; but, when I brought the gun, had no such intention.

Did you load the gun before you went out?-I did.

Had you liberty to carry a gun?-Yes, from a magistrate, Mr. Coates, who is since dead.

Were you ever tried before you committed the murder on Noonan?-Indeed I was; I was tried before, for posting a threatening notice, but it was no such thing.

Were you not sentenced to be transported?-I was.

Did you not fire shots at the same time?-Yes.

Judge Torrens: And the reward you gave the Government for bringing you back was murdering Noonan

Mr. Hatch.e.l.l: Was not your brother Caravat tried?-Yes.

You say you were only present at the murder of Noonan; now, was it not you who knocked down the unfortunate man with the b.u.t.t-end of a blunderbuss?-Yes, the very first. (Sensation.)

And you don't call that murdering the man?-We were all murdering him.

Were you not one of the men who carried him into the ditch to hide the body?-I was.

Where is your brother, the Caravat?-I don't know.

Was he at the burning of Walsh's house?-No.

Did you know Leonard, the smith?-I did.

Did you see him killed?-I saw him struck, but was not looking on at his killing.

Did you give him a blow then?-I did not strike a blow at the man.

Did you give a blow that day?-Yes, when myself was struck.

Do you remember Wat Hayes?-Yes.

You attacked him, but he shot you off?-No, he did not.

Was not one of your companions shot by Mr. Hayes?-No, but a man near me.

Now, tell me, did he not kill one of your friends?-Oh, he had a party against us, and waylaid us.

Did you remember Jemmy Hughes, who was killed with a hatchet?-I did.

Were you not looking at his murder?-Oh, no; he was married to my first cousin.

Were you not taxed with the murder?-The whole country knew who was in that affair.

You recollect David Hickey, who was killed at Bilboa?-I was in the fair.

You were of the party?-I was looking at him.

That was your third murder.

A Juror: His fifth murder.

Did you rob Michael Rogers?-No, but I got the course of law, and was acquitted.

You knew Mick Griffin, Lord Stradbroke's herd?-I heard he was shot.

Was your brother Caravat accused of this business?-No, I never heard of it.

Did you not say you would put a rope about McCarthy's neck?-I did not. I remember when Kennedy was put out of possession. McCarthy's cattle and premises were burned after this, but the country say it was himself did it. I never asked a farm of Lord Stradbroke, but my father or brothers might. I never heard that McCarthy prevented us getting the farm, on the ground of our being so bad.

Do you remember you and your uncle carrying away a woman?-I do.

Your uncle was transported?-He was.

So you have been guilty of one abduction, five murders, and one burning; what else did you do? Would you suggest any other crime in the catalogue, of which you were not guilty?

Judge Torrens: Did you commit a rape?-No.

Mr. Hatch.e.l.l: Were any of your brothers convicted of a rape?-Yes.

Were you not charged with holding the unfortunate woman while your brother committed the rape?-No, but another brother was.

Judge Torrens: Did you steal cattle?-No.

Mr. Hatch.e.l.l: That would be too shabby an offence. When you came to Walsh's house, you lifted one of the Ryans up in the roof?-Yes.