Death of an old man named Kearney near Crusheen Jan 1878
Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2008 8:39 am
The term "Wild West" is usually used to refer to the West of the USA. However, the 19th century newspaper reports on events in the West of Ireland make it clear that life there was also very dangerous. In 10 minutes of scanning the papers I found 5 reports of violent deaths within a very small geographical area between Tubber and Crusheen, usually related to agrarian disputes. Use of the hatchet or shotgun or pistol to settle disputes was almost commonplace.
Here, as just one example, is a report from The Belfast News-Letter (Belfast, Ireland), Tuesday, January 22, 1878; Issue 19496. An old man named Patrick Kearney was found dead on the road, having been in dispute with the M'Inerney family. Interestingly, a subsequent report (The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post (Bristol, England), Monday, February 24, 1879) tells us that a man named Patrick Macnamara who had been accused of the murder and thrice unsuccessfully tried was emigrated to the USA at the expense of the Government.
Paddy
Here, as just one example, is a report from The Belfast News-Letter (Belfast, Ireland), Tuesday, January 22, 1878; Issue 19496. An old man named Patrick Kearney was found dead on the road, having been in dispute with the M'Inerney family. Interestingly, a subsequent report (The Bristol Mercury and Daily Post (Bristol, England), Monday, February 24, 1879) tells us that a man named Patrick Macnamara who had been accused of the murder and thrice unsuccessfully tried was emigrated to the USA at the expense of the Government.
Paddy