Hanly caught administering oaths in O'Briensbridge (1825)

[Paddy Casey]

The Newcastle Courant etc (Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England), Saturday, January 15, 1825 reports that Stephen Hanly, a private of the 25th foot, was caught trying to administer illegal oaths to country people in O'Briens bridge (sic). He stated that he had been put up to it by the Very Rev. Dean O'Shaughnessy and approached Michael Guerin and Matthew Molony, publicans, James Ryan, schoolmaster, and Wm. George, agent to Goodbody's Boats. The latter went to the Rev. M. McCormack, parish priest, who mentioned the matter to Major Bouchier, who committed Hanly. Magistrates presiding at the petty sessions held to investigate the affair in O'Briensbridge were Major Bouchier, Sir Hugh D. Massy, Capt. Warburton, and T.Westropp Esq.. Hanly was committed to trial under the Insurrection Act.