The Trial and Punishment of Connel Henry, Killybegs, 1822
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Extracted from The Strabane Morning Post
Tuesday, August 6, 1822
DONEGAL ASSIZES
CONNEL HENRY XE "Heney" , [tried] for perjury – guilty - to be pillered at Killybegs
Tuesday, August 13, 1822
LIFFORD ASSIZES
CONNELL HENRY XE "Henry" , of Glen, for perjury, Guilty - to stand in the pillory at Killybegs - and to be transported for 7 years
CONNELL HENRY XE "Henry" , who had been sentenced at the last Summer Assizes for the County of Donegal, to be pillored for one hour at Killybegs, on the 12th of Nov. and to be transported for 7 years for Perjury, underwent the first part of his sentence on Tuesday last, before a large concourse of people assembled at the Fair of that town.
He was removed from the Gaol of Lifford under the custody of the Gaoler, on Monday last, escorted by the Chief Constable, and a strong detachment of mounted Police, under the command of RICHARD C. CHAMBERS, ESQ., Sub-Sheriff of the County, to the town of Donegal, when the party halted for the night, and proceeded next day to Killybegs, where they were joined by a party of the Royal Veteran Battalion quartered there under the command of LIEUT. FORD, and some of the Revenue Police stationed there. To the credit of the multitude assembled, they conducted themselves with the greatest propriety, no attempt being made by them, from mistaken pity to the prisoner, to rescue him from his disgraceful situation; such an attempt indeed must have proved unavailing, as the police, who were all old dragoons, and the military were fully equal to carry the Law into execution.
The general feeling that seemed to pervade the minds of the populace, was a satisfaction for the punishment he met with for his crime, tempered with Christian forbearance, as no dirt or mud was thrown at the prisoner, or abusive language made use of to him. After remaining one hour in the pillory, the Sheriff had him brought back under the same escort to Donegal, and the next day he was safely lodged in Lifford Gaol, to await the order for his transportation. The steady, well-disciplined conduct of the Police, who formed this escort, in very inclement weather, and then soldiery well appointed appearance, is a further proof if any were wanting, of the great utility they are to the country, and how much more effective such a body are to carry the laws into execution, than a number of undisciplined, unarmed Constables, however zealous they may be to do their duty.
Tuesday, November 19, 1822
CONNELL HENRY XE "Henry" , who had been sentenced at the last Summer Assizes for the County of Donegal, to be pillored for one hour at Killybegs, on the 12th of Nov. and to be transported for 7 years for Perjury, underwent the first part of his sentence on Tuesday last, before a large concourse of people assembled at the Fair of that town.
He was removed from the Gaol of Lifford under the custody of the Gaoler, on Monday last, escorted by the Chief Constable, and a strong detachment of mounted Police, under the command of RICHARD C. CHAMBERS, EDQ., Sub-Sheriff of the County, to the town of Donegal, when the party halted for the night, and proceeded next day to Killybegs, where they were joined by a party of the Royal Veteran Battalion quartered there under the command of LIEUT. FORD, and some of the Revenue Police stationed there. To the credit of the multitude assembled, they conducted themselves with the greatest propriety, no attempt being made by them, from mistaken pity to the prisoner, to rescue him from his disgraceful situation; such an attempt indeed must have proved unavailing, as the police, who were all old dragoons, and the military were fully equal to carry the Law into execution.
The general feeling that seemed to pervade the minds of the populace, was a satisfaction for the punishment he met with for his crime, tempered with Christian forbearance, as no dirt or mud was thrown at the prisoner, or abusive language made use of to him. After remaining one hour in the pillory, the Sheriff had him brought back under the same escort to Donegal, and the next day he was safely lodged in Lifford Gaol, to await the order for his transportation. The steady, well-disciplined conduct of the Police, who formed this escort, in very inclement weather, and then soldiery well appointed appearance, is a further proof if any were wanting, of the great utility they are to the country, and how much more effective such a body are to carry the laws into execution, than a number of undisciplined, unarmed Constables, however zealous they may be to do their duty.
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