| Notes |
- Patrick Loughrey led a very interesting life. You can see from the various Court and Prison records below that he would appear to have been a Drunk, a Fighter and a trouble maker.
But many newspaper cuttings that I will attach paint an entirely different picture of the man.
In fact he appears to be a man of deep conviction, integrity, nationalism and fair play and these attributes were not liked by the ruling British and their Irish subordinates in Ireland at the time and it is my understanding from the records available that most of the charges and convictions below testify to an ongoing campaign of official harassment against him, and people like him, by the authorities.
Things started getting bad for Patrick when John Turbridy a convicted prisoner, also from Crusheen, Testified in Ennis on 13 Apr 1883 that he was a member of a Fenian Society in Crusheen called the Irish Republican Brotherhood and that Pat Loughery was the President.
He stated that he joined the IRB in November 1879 and was sworn in by oath on and prayer book and the oath being "to be loyal and true to the Irish Republican Brotherhood, to take up arms when required, and to be obedient to my superior Officers".
Patrick and the others were arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder.
He, Turbridy, stated that there were secret signs and passwords for the group. Pat Loughery was the head to the Society, members paid 13 shillings a month into the Society, the object of which was to buy arms.
He alleged they met to post threatening notices against people taking farms from other people who had been evicted, he stated that the Society later changed its name to the Invicibles or the Vigilance. He stated that one of the members, McInery, "said they should go to England to shoot landlords, agents, bailiffs, and informers , and that the Land League would pay expenses."
The York Herald on 21 Apr 1883 reports: - the third secret society is in county Clare. It was well organised, and its members perpetuated many dreadful crimes. The murders of Conway, near Tulla; Of Doloughty, near Ennis; of Molony, near Tull; of Leemans, near Milton Malbay; of Maroney, the farmer who paid his rent, near Feakle; the firing at Mr Studdert, Mr O'Brien, and Mr W Lloyd, R.M.; the murderous attack upon Forde, Mr Latty's caretaker; that upon Kennedy, who took a boycotted farm at Crusheen, and numerous other well-known crimes are all ascribed to this society. In the night attack upon Field's house, his shirt was set on fire by the discharge, and his stomach grazed by a bullet from a rifle; but he, firing in return, wounded one of his assailants, named Tubridy, severely in the back. This led to the mans arrest, and he was tried at the last Winter Assizes and sentenced to penal servitude for life. The effect of this conviction was that, while a convict in Mountjoy Prison, he gave information to the Executive which led to the holding of an inquiry under the Crimes Act, by Mr Brady R.M. in different parts of the county Clare. After this eleven men, all apparently respectable, were arrested at Queenstown, where they were on the point of embarking for America. They were brought before Mr Purcell, R.M. at Ennis...
This explains some of the society's alleged activities, also the reason and circumstances of how Turbridy became an informant and importantly highlights the lack of impartiality in the entire judicial proceedings as the Resident Magistrate Mr Purcell was not only the person they where bought before after their arrest in Queenstown, but he was the presiding official on the inquiry/investigation into the conspiracy and the R.M for most of Patrick's legal dealings and interactions that are documented throughout this short biography.
A Report in the Cork Examiner 28 Nov 1883 states the, now 13, defendants will be tried under the Crimes Act for conspiracy to murder in the Winter assizes which opens on the 7 Dec 1883 in what was called the Crusheen Conspiracy.
On 12 Jan 1884 the Nation newspaper carried a Clare Independent Newspaper report from the previous Saturday 5 Jan 1884, reporting the result of the trial in Cork of the Crusheen men who were charged with conspiracy to murder, says:-
The Clare conspiracy prisoners, who had been admitted out on bail at the adjournment for the Christmas holiday, and had returned to their respective homes, were summoned peremptorily back on St Stephen's night, and left next morning by train for the city of the Lee. Their case came off on Wednesday before Judge Johnson. At the sitting of the court at eleven-o'clock.
Mr. Peter O'Brien Q.C. council for the Crown said they had decided to postpone the trail of McInerney and others who were charged with conspiracy to murder. There were thirteen prisoners altogether charged, but he would only require McInerney to give bail, the others would be allowed to stand out on their own recognisances.
Mr. D.B. Sullivan and Mr Bushs, who appeared for the accused, did not oppose the postponement, as long as they were let out on bail.
The prisoners charged were - Patrick Loughery, John Hart, Charles Hart, Denis Hanrahan, John Hanrahan, Patrick Walsh, Patrick McNamara, Thomas McNamara, James O'Grady, James Kennedy, Patrick McInerney, Thomas Carroll, and Patrick Burke. McInerney was bound in ¹100 and two sureties of ¹50 each to come up for trial at the next Clare assizes or any subsequent assizes on getting ten days notice. The others were allowed out on there own recognisances to come up to stand their trial on getting ten days notice.
From the documents available it appears as if the Crown never revisited the case and the fact the Patrick never received a long, life or death sentence would appear to confirm this.
But two interesting things are reported in that year 1884.
One is a report on 21 May 1884 in the Freemans Journal, 4 months after the "Conspirators" release, that a man living at Moyree, Ennis, was fired at on Monday night, but escaped injury. He gave evidence against the Crusheen conspirators, and has since been under police protection.
The second is from The Nation on the 12 Jan 1884 and entitled "Popular Retaliation". It details the events of the ordinary weekly meeting of the Tulla Board of Guardians. That Tuesday evening the business at hand was the election of a Poor Rate Collector. Applications were received from six candidates: Messrs McGrath, Comheady, McInernery, Whelan, Loughery and Liddy.
The report shows a copy of Patrick Loughery's application:-
"Courthouse, Cork, 31st Dec. 1883.
To the Board of Guardians of the Tulla Union
GENTLEMEN-I beg to offer myself as a candidate for the vacant office of poor-rate collector in your union, and in accordance with the terms of your advertisement my sureties, if elected are, James O'Grady, of Ballyvanna and Michael Cotter of Belvoir. I appeal to you, gentlemen, the Nationalist representatives of the people of Tulla, to elect me to the office I seek. When the time comes I will probably be in the dock here, arraigned for crimes with which I and others are charged by the English Government. I know gentlemen, that there are as good Irishmen and better, than I soliciting your votes, but then they have, 'by hook or by crook' escaped persecution at the hands of our common enemy, and therefore it is that I ask you to elect me to-morrow and show the 'Red Earl' and gentle Geordie that the men whom they persecute are consequently the more dear to the Irish heart. Because of the action of our foreign masters I have not been able to wait upon you personally, nor have I the pleasure of the acquaintance of more that three members of your board; yet I leave the issue with confidence in your hands, and wishing our country a bright and happy New Year, I remain, gentlemen, your faithful servant.
"PATRICK LOUGHREY, Knockreddan, Crusheen "God save Ireland"
Quite spontaneously after this was read out there was applause and cries of "Bravo Loughery" and all the other candidates resigned en mass in favour of Mr Loughery.
There being no other candidate nominated, the chairman declared Mr Loughery elated amidst enthusiastic cheers.
1885 seems to have passed without any mention in the papers.
The Cork Examiner on 1 Dec 1886 carried a quite extraordinary headline - "Informer Manufacture in Clare"
It goes on to details how a Head Constable Maurice O'Halloran, who was stationed at Ennis approached Patrick Loughery at the October Sessions in Ennis, (Patrick was there in connection with an ejectment decree for non-payment of a rack-rent, that had been obtained against him), and offered him money to inform on people in the area.
O'Halloran thought that as Patrick was facing eviction it was good time to temp him and offered him ¹100 and ¹50 a year for information on an organisation.
Patrick described a meeting with O'Halloran where he was told to carry on the his "outrages" as normal, but let him know what was happening. O'Halloran gave him ¹10 and and envelope containing a message and a further ¹10.
Patrick told his friends of O'Halloran's scheme and they decided he should play along with it and not supply any information. He subsequently met O'Halloran at a public house and after losing his patience and being exhausted by the subterfuge, "he though he would effectively put an end to the plot, took the tumbler containing the soda water in his hand and dealt O'Halloran a stunning blow in the face, which sent him half way across the room, saying at the same time, "Do you want to make a villain of me?"
Other police in pub and the public interfered and stopped further blows and the police left immediately. It was believed that Loughery would have been arrested immediately, but strange to say, the authorities took no action. This unusual course on the part of the authorities is attributed to the fact the they fear an expose if the matter should become the subject of an investigation at the local Petty Sessions Court. The ¹10 which O'Halloran attempted to bribe Patrick was being held by a legal professional.
Well 1887 saw this scandal escalate and the Freemans Journal on the 5 Mar 1887 shows that questions about it and its cover up were even being asked in parliament in London.
Of course the authorities were not going to let Patrick get away with this and the Cork Examiner 8 Apr 1887 and the Nation 16 Apr 1887, detail how they obtained their revenge.
THE EVICTION CAMPAIGN IN CLARE
Ennis Thursday
The Sub Sherriff, Mr J Mcmahon, accompanied by a staff of bailiffs and escorted by upwards one hundred police, under commons of County Inspector Heard, with whom was Mr Kilkelly, R.M. and District Inspectors Hill and Siddall, proceeded on yesterday to the locality of Crusheen for the purpose of evicting two tenants on the property of the Butlers minor. Colonel Graham the agent was also of the party. Their advent was announced by the ringing of the chapel bell at Crusheen, and they were met on arrival by a large concourse of people and the local brass band.
The evicting party first visited the house of Patrick Loughery amid the groans of the assembled. They removed the furniture and handed over possession to the agent.
They next proceeded to the widow Reddans, three miles distant, followed by the crowd, the band playing, "The Peeler and the Goat". This poor woman effects were thrown out on the roadside, but she was readmitted as the caretaker. The entire force, half of which were armed with rifles, then retraced their steps towards the village, where a conflict appeared imminent. Loughery with a number of men having rushed between the armed and unarmed constables but after a short scuffle the retired and allowed the police to proceed, treating them before there final departures to repeated cheers for ex-Constable Dorney. Loughery, it appears, immediately retook possession of his holding, where he intends to remain pending further action. It may be mentioned that he is the young man who some months ago caused a sensation by disclosure of the "informer manufacturer" system in connection with which he received ¹10 from Head Constable O'Halloran on pretences of assisting him in furtherance of the vile scheme.
1888 saw more retribution from the authorities.
The Freemans Journal 21 May 1888 reports:
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD AND THE TULLA GUARDIANS
Ennis Saturday
At the weekly meeting of the Tulla Board of Guardians a letter was read from the Local Government Board in reply to that sent with reference to the dismissal of Mr Patrick Loughery from his position of poor rate collector. The letter states that the Local Government Board is not prepared to enter upon any discussion respecting the merits of the case which has been tried before and dealt with by a legal tribunal. The board have sent a reply to this communication in which they point out the remarkable difference in the way in which the Local Government Board treats Mr Loughery, a Nationalist. and that in which they dealt with Mr Wilson, the late clerk of the Limerick Union, a Unionist. The correspondence is to be sent to Mr Cox M.P. for the purpose of bring the matter before parliament.
On 1 Sep 1888 the Cork Examiner in two articles in summary report, following a second eviction on 14th Aug 1888, that:
At Crusheen, county of Clare, on Thursday, Messrs. Keogh and Hodder, Removables, held an inquiry into a chart against Patrick Loughery of having been guilty of conduct calculated to lead to a breach of the peace on the 14 August.
The "offence" disclosed in the evidence was that the accused had "shouted" on the occasion of an eviction, and when "warned against creating a disturbance," said he would "shout as long as God left him lungs."
Though there no evidence of any offence, defendant was ordered to find bail for his "good behaviour" for six months or go to gaol for a month.
He elected to go to gaol.
This is the man who exposed the attempts of the ennis police to manufacture and informer.
It is the second time within six months he had been sent to gaol under the Coercion Act on frivolous charges.
1889 continues in the same vein
The Cork Examiner 24 Sep 1889 reports:
THE POLICE AND THE CLARE NATIONALISTS
Kilrush, Monday
The police were busily engaged yesterday here in tearing down placards in reference to a testimonial for Patrick Loughery, a prominent Clare Nationalist. It will be remembered how, some time ago, Mr Loughrey exposed the overtures and ¹10 of Head-constable O'halloran for information to criminate several Claremen, and since he has become the object of much police hatred. While tearing down one of these poster a stone was thrown at Acting-Constable Flaherty in John Street, from an adjoining yard, which grazed his head.
It is around this time that Patrick must have made the decision to leave Ireland and migrate to the USA.
Patrick died 5 Apr 1900 at 366 Baltic Street, Brooklyn, the death cert states he had lived in the USA 11 years so may have migrated in 1889, which would fit in with the last of the newspaper articles, but as yet I cannot find a Passenger Manifest for his arrival. Matt Falvey 13 Jun 2021
Patrick Loughery in the Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919
Name Patrick Loughery
Role Defendant
Trial Date 3 May 1883
Court Name Crusheen
Court Place Clare, Ireland
Residence Place Knockreddan, Clare
Petty Sessions Order Books CSPS 1//3996
ORDER BOOK, as approved by the Lord Lieutenant (with the advice and consent of the Privy Council)
County of Clare
1. No - 29
2. Date of Order - 1883 May 3rd and 4th
3. Names or Names of Justice or Justices by whom Order made; and if made out of Petty Session, or if entry in this Book made from a Certificate same to be here state. - Pierce O'Brien Esq J.P.
4. PARTIES - COMPLAINANT AND DEFENDANT
Complainant - S.C. William Fagan of Crusheen - Complainant
Defendant - Patrick Loughery of Knockreddan - Defendant
5. Names of Witnesses examined and whether for Complainant of Defendant - .
6. CAUSE OF COMPLAINT, as set forth in Summons - That the Defendant was drunk on the public street at Crusheen on the 22nd day of March 1883.
7. PARTICULARS OF ORDER OR DISMISSAL
If Dismissal, whether with or without prejudice, and whether with or without Costs, &c
If Ejectment, when to be evicted and from what and whose premises, &c
If to be Whipped, whether in or out of Prison, &c, &c
(Where Money ordered to be paid by or to any Person, the amount to be written in words at full length in this Column, as well as to be entered in Figures in the Moneys Columns).
- Adjourned
Patrick Loughery in the Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919
Name Patrick Loughery
Role Defendant
Trial Date 5 Apr 1883
Court Name Crusheen
Court Place Clare, Ireland
Residence Place Knockreddan, Clare
Petty Sessions Order Books CSPS 1//3996
ORDER BOOK, as approved by the Lord Lieutenant (with the advice and consent of the Privy Council)
County of Clare
1. No - 1
2. Date of Order - 1883 April 5th
3. Names or Names of Justice or Justices by whom Order made; and if made out of Petty Session, or if entry in this Book made from a Certificate same to be here state. - Pierce O'Brien Esq J.P. to W F Purcell Esq R.M.
4. PARTIES - COMPLAINANT AND DEFENDANT
Complainant - S.C. William Fagan of Crusheen - Complainant
Defendant - Patrick Loughery of Knockreddan - Defendant
5. Names of Witnesses examined and whether for Complainant of Defendant - .
6. CAUSE OF COMPLAINT, as set forth in Summons - That the Defendant was drunk on the public street at Crusheen on the 22nd day of March 1883.
7. PARTICULARS OF ORDER OR DISMISSAL
If Dismissal, whether with or without prejudice, and whether with or without Costs, &c
If Ejectment, when to be evicted and from what and whose premises, &c
If to be Whipped, whether in or out of Prison, &c, &c
(Where Money ordered to be paid by or to any Person, the amount to be written in words at full length in this Column, as well as to be entered in Figures in the Moneys Columns).
- Adjourned
Patrick Loughery in the Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919
Name: Patrick Loughery
Role: Defendant
Trial Date: 31 May 1883
Court Name: Crusheen
Court Place: Clare, Ireland
Residence Place: Knockreddan, Clare
Petty Sessions Order Books CSPS 1//3996
ORDER BOOK, as approved by the Lord Lieutenant (with the advice and consent of the Privy Council)
County of Clare
1. No - 55
2. Date of Order - 1883 May 31st
3. Names or Names of Justice or Justices by whom Order made; and if made out of Petty Session, or if entry in this Book made from a Certificate same to be here state. - W F Purcell Esq R. M
4. PARTIES - COMPLAINANT AND DEFENDANT
Complainant - S.C. William Fagan of Crusheen - Complainant
Defendant - Patrick Loughery of Knockreddan - Defendant
5. Names of Witnesses examined and whether for Complainant of Defendant - .
6. CAUSE OF COMPLAINT, as set forth in Summons - That the Defendant was drunk on the public street at Crusheen on the 22nd day of March 1883.
7. PARTICULARS OF ORDER OR DISMISSAL
If Dismissal, whether with or without prejudice, and whether with or without Costs, &c
If Ejectment, when to be evicted and from what and whose premises, &c
If to be Whipped, whether in or out of Prison, &c, &c
(Where Money ordered to be paid by or to any Person, the amount to be written in words at full length in this Column, as well as to be entered in Figures in the Moneys Columns).
- No Rule
Patrick Loughery in the Ireland, Petty Session Court Registers, 1818-1919
Name: Patrick Loughery
Role: Defendant
Trial Date: 1 May 1885
Court Name: Ennis
Court Place: Clare, Ireland
Residence Place: Knockreddan
Petty Sessions Order Books CSPS 1/4046
ORDER BOOK, as approved by the Lord Lieutenant (with the advice and consent of the Privy Council)
County of Clare
1. No - 186
2. Date of Order - 1885 1st May
3. Names or Names of Justice or Justices by whom Order made; and if made out of Petty Session, or if entry in this Book made from a Certificate same to be here state. - W F Purcell
4. PARTIES - COMPLAINANT AND DEFENDANT
Complainant - Sergt John Dwyer, Spancilhill
Defendant - Patrick Loughery of Knockreddan
5. Names of Witnesses examined and whether for Complainant of Defendant - John Dwyer Sergt R.I.C..
6. CAUSE OF COMPLAINT, as set forth in Summons - That the Defendant Did unlawfully assault one john O'Dea on the Licensed premises of one Edmond Treton at Spancilhill Muckinish on 24 April 1885.
7. PARTICULARS OF ORDER OR DISMISSAL
If Dismissal, whether with or without prejudice, and whether with or without Costs, &c
If Ejectment, when to be evicted and from what and whose premises, &c
If to be Whipped, whether in or out of Prison, &c, &c
(Where Money ordered to be paid by or to any Person, the amount to be written in words at full length in this Column, as well as to be entered in Figures in the Moneys Columns).
- Defendant fined Ten Shillings and six pence costs 10/6
One shilling of together with sixpence for warrant issued in default of payment forthwith to be imprisoned in the Ennis Gaol for fourteen days
Patrick Loughrey in the Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924
Name: Patrick Loughrey
Admission Age: 29
Role: Prisoner
Birth Date: 1859
Birth Place: Crusheen CO Clare, Clare, Ireland
Admission Date: 30 Aug 1888
Admission Place: Limerick, Ireland
Charge: DID DISTURB AND LEAD TO A BREACH OF THE PEACE
Jail: LIMERICK
Identification Number: 1134
Parties Involved:
Name Role
Patrick Loughrey Prisoner
GAOL Limerick Male - GENERAL REGISTER OF PRISONERS
Former Reference - 118/88
No. of Times - C - , M - 3.
No. - 1134,
Names - Patrick Loughery,
Description - Age -29, Height - 5' 11", Hair - Bro, Eyes - Gry, Complexion - Fresh,
Marks on Person - .
Weight on - Admission lbs. - 175, Discharge 176 lbs (Cir. 353) - .
Where Born - Crusheen, Co Clare
Last Residence - Crusheen, Co Clare
Trade or Occupation - Farmer,
Religion - RC,
Degree of Education - RW,
When Committed - 1888, Aug 30th
Offence - Did disturb and lead to a breach of the peace,
By whom Committed - G Hodder R.M.,
Sentence - 1 Cal Mo Bail H¹20, S¹10 each
Fine, Bail, or Hard Labour - .
Expiration of Sentence - 20 Sept 88,
After Reference - 1257/89.
Further Remarks - .
U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Patrick Loughery
Residence Year 1888
Street Address W Blatchley av
Residence Place New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Occupation Laborer
Publication Title New Haven, Connecticut, City Directory, 1888
Loughery John, laborer, bds 322 Blatchley av
Loughrey Michael, clerk 67 Wallace, h 322 Blatchley av
Loughery Patrick, laborer, bds 322 Blatchley av
Loughery Sarah, widow Cornelius, h 322 Blatchley av
Patrick Loughrey in the Ireland, Prison Registers, 1790-1924
Name: Patrick Loughrey
Admission Age: 30
Role: Prisoner
Birth Date: 1859
Birth Place: Crusheen, Clare, Ireland
Admission Date: 10 Oct 1889
Admission Place: Tipperary, Ireland
Charge: ASSAULT
Jail: CLONMEL
Identification Number: 707
Parties Involved:
Name Role
Patrick Loughrey Prisoner
GAOL Clonmel - GENERAL REGISTER OF PRISONERS
Former Reference - Six
No. of Times - C - , M - .
No. - 707,
Names - Patrick Loughery,
Description - Age -30, Height - 5' 11 ? ", Hair - Brw, Eyes - Gr, Complexion - Fresh,
Marks on Person - .
Weight on - Admission lbs. - 168, Discharge 164 lbs (Cir. 353) - .
Where Born - Crusheen,
Last Residence - Crusheen,
Trade or Occupation - Farmer,
Religion - RC,
Degree of Education - RW,
When Committed - 1889, 10 Oct
Offence - Assault,
By whom Committed - Lord Justice,
Sentence - 3 C Months
Fine, Bail, or Hard Labour - H.L.
Expiration of Sentence - 26 Nov 89,
After Reference - .
Further Remarks - Crusheen P.S. 28 Sept 89.
U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995
Name Patrick Loughery
Residence Year 1892
Street Address 11 Locust
Residence Place New Haven, Connecticut, USA
Occupation Laborer
Publication Title New Haven, Connecticut, City Directory, 1892
Loughery John, laborer, h 11 Locust
Loughery Patrick, laborer, bds 11 Locust
Loughery Sarah, widow, h 11 Locust
Patrick Loughery in the U.S., Naturalization Record Indexes, 1791-1992 (Indexed in World Archives Project)
Name: Patrick Loughery
Birth Date: abt 1857
Birth Place: Ireland
Age at event: 37
Court District: Connecticut
Date of Action: 29 Oct 1894
Patrick Loughery in the New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Death Index, 1862-1948
Name: Patrick Loughery
Age: 41
Birth Year: abt 1859
Death Date: 5 Apr 1900
Death Place: Kings, New York, USA
Certificate Number: 6818
Patrie Loughery in the New York, New York, U.S., Index to Death Certificates, 1862-1948
Name: Patrie Loughery
Gender: Male
Race: White
Marital status: Married
Age: 41
Birth Date: abt 1859
Birth Place: Ireland
Residence Street Address: 366 Baltic St
Years in US: 11 Years
Death Date: 5 Apr 1900
Death Street Address: 366 Baltic St
Death Place: New York City, Brooklyn, New York, USA
Cause of Death: Asphyxia, Erysipelas & Sea Grippe
Burial Date: 8 Apr 1900
Burial Place: Holy Cross Cemetery
Occupation: Beef Agent
Father's Birth Place: Ireland
Mother's Birth Place: Ireland
Father: Comelive Loughery
Mother: Sarah Loughery
Certificate Number: 6818 [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]
|
Abt 1858 - 1900 (~ 42 years)
: Address
: Location
: City/Town
: County/Shire
: State/Province
: Country
: Not Set
