t
AND STATE OF UNIONS, IN IRELAND.
173
friendship between Tom Dohcrty and Sweeny, and that the former frequently went to
Sweeny's house for advice upon law; deponent never heard of Sweeny going to Doherty's
house, cither to look for the rates or to see if there was sufficient property there to pay
the amount due, but know of his going to the land and demanding rates from other persons
living there, who were just as well able to pay as Tom Doherty ; is quite certain he could at
any time have levied the rates from the Dohertys; and believes it was from favour and par¬
tiality he did not do so. Deponent knew that the auctions were to take place ; heard the
auction at Tom Doherty's was posted both at Templemore and Longhmore, but did not see
the advertisement; it was posted for a few days; it was well known that Doherty was
going to leave Ireland; it was quite notorious in the country, and Sweeny could not be
ignorant of it. The first auction at Tom Doherty's was on tlie 10th of February, the other
at Charles Dolierty's about a fortniglit later; Init deponent cannot be sure of the time;
the Dohcrtys wished to turn all tlieir effects into money to take them to America, before
the sheriff should take up possession of the farm ; does not believe the auction could have
taken place witliout the knowledge of Sweeny, as it was currently reported that Doherty
and his family were backwards and forwards to Sweeny's house in Templemore, once or
twice every week. Deponent was informed by Tom Dolierty that he had taken defence to
the ejectment, and that he had employed Jfr. Egan, but lie did not say why he employed
him rather than annther attorney, but deponent always heard, and believes it to be true,
that it was because Sweeny was Egan's clei-k; saw Sweeny make entries for Egan, and
take fees, but has no other knowledge of his being Kgan's clerk.
The exaniination of John Shanahan, of Lisheenatagart, who, being duly sworn, saith;—
lie knows the lands lately held by Thomas and Charles Doherty; knew the poor rates
were due by the Dohertys—not only the last rate, but former rates also. Deponent lives
close to the lands; saw them very often, and positively states, that at all times during the
last sixteen years, the Dohertys had stock or corn quite sufficient to pay their rates;
Doherty was always considered to be in good circumstances, and had as good haggards of
corn as any man on the townland : deponent heard it stated through tlie country, that the
reason the Dohertj^s were not made to pay their rates like other jjeople, was on account
of the friendship between Sweeny and them; believes they are I'elated to Sweeny; he
may have gone to the lands to get tlie rates, but deponent never knew him to do so, but
knows of his having gone to other farmers for their rates ; deponent believes it was from
favour and partiality that Sweeny did not make the Dohertys pay; deponent saw Sweeny
seize the stock belonging to Pat Fogarty, which were on Dolierty's land that day, but was
not near enough to hear what passed between Larry Shanahan and Sweeny; did not see
any other stock ou the land that day, but did not go through the land; there may have
been other stock there without deponent knowing the fact; deponent knew of the
auctions to be held at the houses of Tom and Charles Doherty; deponent heard the
auctions were publicly posted in Templemore, Loughmore, and Drom; did not see the
advertisement, and could not read it if he did; it was before the auctions took place that
deponent heard of the advertisements. It was perfectly notorious in the country that the
Dohertj's were selling their effects in oi'der to go to America; and deponent does not
believe tliat Sweenj- could have been ignorant of that fact. Wlien the auction v.as over,
Charles Doherty and foraily lived in deponent's house until they went to America; they
went off on Easter ilonday; Charles Doherty, while at deponent's, had a mare and covr;
a few days before he went off, he gave away the mare and sold the cow; he sold her for
£5 los. or £6; while the mare and cow remained at deponent's, Oiarles Doherty did not
appear afraid of their being taken; Charles Doherty remained at deponent's house more
than one month; during that time, Tom Doherty and family were lodging in Templemore,
near Sweeny's house, and had four or five beds with him, which he took to America; Tom
Doherty remained in Templemore more than six weeks; deponent was often there with
him; knew that Tom Doherty gave a party before he went to America; heard Sweeny's
daughters were there; Sweeny could not have been ignorant that Tom Doherty was living
for that time in Templemore; deponent assisted Tom Doherty in drawing meal from the
mill to his own house—that was before the auction; there was about one ton of meal
drawn; heard the meal was afterwards sent to Sweeny's; the meal was ground for sale;,
Doherty did not like the price offered for it at home, and sent it to Sweeny's to be sold; it
remained some time in Templemore; deponent was sent by Tom Doherty to Sweeny's
house to bring back what had not been sold, about a bag and a half; got it at Sweeny's
house; Sweeny's family knew it was to be sent for, and Sweeny could not have been
ignorant it was at his house; to the best of deponent's belief, it was after the auction that
he brought back the meal from Templemore; but he is not certain aboxit the time.
Since the deponent was served with the summons to ajipear before tlie inspector, Mdiich
ho received on Wednesday morning, ho was spoken to by Philip Cleary on the subject
of the present inquiry. Cleary told this deponent to go home,* and that nothing could
happen to deponent for not appearing upon the summons, and tliat he need not mind it.
The examination of James Maker, of Tcmplemoro, bailiif, who, being duly sworn, saith :—
lie knows the lands of Lisheenatagart; went there one day in the eaidy pai-t of March,
but cannot state the cxact day; went there with Dan Sweeny to serve summonses; some¬
times acts as bailiff for Sweeny; served the summons at Thomas Doherty's house by
pushing it in through the keyhole; served the other summons by pushing it in under
tlie door of Charles Doherty's house, as deponent believes; was never on the lands before
that day; deponent knocked at tlie doors first, and demanded admission; the doors were
fastened, and no answer was made from the inside; saw a man outside; deponent after-
Dissolution of
Boards
of Guardians.
Thurles Union,
