THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: ‘Moonlighting’ case against men is dismissed at petty sessions

From the News Letter, April 10, 1889
Trevor Hill, Newry, Co Down. NLI Ref.: EAS_1432. Picture: National Library of IrelandTrevor Hill, Newry, Co Down. NLI Ref.: EAS_1432. Picture: National Library of Ireland
Trevor Hill, Newry, Co Down. NLI Ref.: EAS_1432. Picture: National Library of Ireland

Four men “of the farming class” appeared before Mr James F Erskine, JP, at the Newry Petty Sessions on this day in 1889, reported the News Letter.

It was alleged that the four had threatened an old man named William Hill the previous month at Carnacally.

Head Constable Williams who conducted the case Crown while the four men were defended by a solicitor named Halpin.

The head constable said that on that night in question that Mr Hill had retired to bed at 10 o’clock but that soon afterwards that he had heard footsteps going past his house.

His windows were then broken and Mr Hill had got out of bed to tackle the culprits.

He went to the window and looked out and was immediately given a “punch” by a stick carried by one of the accused.

He then saw another of the accused hurling stones with struck a wall close to where he was standing.

After this he had heard one shout a threat that he would be buried in the ruins of his house within half-an-hour and said he was “Carey, the informer” and that they would “give it to him sooner or later”.

A number of witnesses were examined before the Newry Petty Sessions who gave alibis for the accused men and the case was then dismissed by the Bench.

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