School: An Ráth Mhór (Clochar) (roll number 13742)

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1. Brerton's Murder (continued)

   

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   general order for every man to turn out armed with some weapon, otherwise himself was to be murdered and his house burnt.
   When the morning arrived, I under the greatest agitation of mind, decided on going to the house of Mr. Humphrey O Sullivan of Shinnagh in my Parish. From this house I went to a multitude whom I saw at a distance and begged and implored that they would go home. They replied with one voice that they were sworn in as whiteboys. I persuaded them to return and they were dispersing and I returned to the house of Mr. O Sullivan. A messenger came up and told them a dragoon had been killed by the people at the chapel Knocknacoppal. Later they heard at Mr. O Sullivan's house that the man was not killed. He was not a dragoon but a bearer of mail bags. I mounted my horse and left Mr. O'Sullivans house [and went] to were the man was. I found him much injured and abused. I entreated them in an energetic manner to spare the man's life. I asked them to give the man over to me. I intended to take him to Inchabeg were a small party of soldiers was kept to protect the mails during the winter. Soon a large party came across the hill and came before me. I remonstrated and supplicated. They placed strangers in front of me and those I knew kept behind. They said not to murder him they intended but as a hostage.
   Word came that a party of Military from Killarney were within half a mile of Rathmore. They angrily desired me to depart. The soldiers were sure to fire on the multitude and believing they would keep promise not to murder poor Brereton I went away. It

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   Transcribed by a member of our volunteer transcription project.

   History Edit

   Language

   English

   Informant

   Canon J. Carmody