THE CONNAUGHT JOURNAL GALWAY, MONDAY, AUGUST 30, 1824 ATTACK ON THE POLICE AT CHURCHTOWN Timothy Doolan, Garrett Brown, Wm. Flynn, John M'Auliffe, Edmund Fleming, John Meenan, John Boland, and John Brown were given in charge for the attack upon the Police at Churchtown. William Lumsden examined. Stated that he commanded the party of Police stationed at Churchtown in the month of January, 1823. Witness then proceeded to detail the particulars of the attack, the whole of which are already known to the public; witness did not identify any of the prisoners. Cross-examined. The prisoner Flynn lived immediately adjoining the Police Barracks. He was taken up, and soon afterwards ????? but did not abscond. There were, he things, thirteen or fourteen Policement stationed at Churchtown at that time. Flynn, he always thought a very industrious man, and a man of good character. John Walshe (the approver) gave the same account of the occurrences at Churchtown that he had given on the former trial last Assizes, and in the leading facts he was the same that Mr Lumsden had given. The prisoner, William Flynn, whom witness identified, came from Churchtown, and informed the assembled assailants that that was the time to make an attack on the Police, for that Mr. Lumsden was dining at Mr. Crofts, and the rest of the Police had got some whiskey from Innishowen and were drinking. Witness, as before, described the allotment of business, the appointment of sentinels, pass-words, &c. Witness identified all the prisoners, and affirmed he was quite positive of their having been at the attack on the Police. Mr. Jackson cross-examined this Witness. Witness was taken under the Insurrection Act; was charged with being concerned in the attack on Granasheen and on Mr. Heffernan; it swearing here to save his life; has been a servant to Thomas Connor; was at the attack at Sallypark, and the destruction of the barracks at Liscarroll; was always ready to go on any expedition; has been at several farmer's houses; swears that he never said that he liked to hear the cries of men, women and children; has taken thirteen oaths, and in breaking one broke the rest; did not tell all to-day that he told at the last Assizes, the questions not having been put to him; does not recollect having broke any oath, but the Whiteboy oath; never took that except three times; never administered more than three or four oaths; has been allowed ten shillings a week; declares that the party did not send a spy forward to Churchtown, and he (witness) did not depose to that effect last Assizes; swears that he left the house of Thomas Connor to go to the attack at five in the evening, and did not return until morning. To a question by a Juror - Some of the prisoners were armed; every one of these prisoners was at the muster of the assailants, previous to the attack. James Moynehan (another approver) gave testimony to the same effect as Walshe, and identified Doolan, Garret Brown, and Meenan; has had conversations with Walshe, the other informer; not this subject. This witness underwent a long cross-examination, much of which would be uninteresting. Bryan Carr, a policeman, went over the general outline of the occurrences, in pretty nearly the same terms as the preceding witnesses. At the last Assizes, identified a man named Brusnehan, who has since been executed; now identifies Wm. Flynn as one of the assailants on that occasion. Cross-examined - Flynn was seven or eight yards from his own house during the attack; his house was on fire, for it was under the same roof with the police barrack. Wm. Crowley, chief constable of police; also went over the same ground as the other witnesses. Being cross-examined, he gave a good character of William Flynn. Dr. M'Fadden was examined as to the wounds and deaths that took place on that occasion. DEFENCE. Thomas Connors, (reputed uncle to Walshe) - remembers the attack on Churchtown and deposes that Walshe could not have been there - for he spent the whole night in witness's house. Cross-examined - Walshe might have got out without witness's knowledge. James Flynn - Knows the prisoner, Wm. Flynn, and remembers the attack upon the barrack; the prisoner and the witness went to bed together and when he house was broken into, prisoner and witness got under the bed; and when the house took fire, they made their escape into the street; prisoner supped at home; they had been working together during the preceding day. Cross-examined - They got out of the burning house in their shirts, and went into a neighbour's house. James Hogan - Knows the three Flynns; they came into his house while the attack upon the Police was going forward. Mr. Milward gave a good character of William Flynn; Mr. Crofts was here last Assizes to give Flynn a character; the Flynns are very decent people. Cross-examined - Many men of good character have been implicated in the late disturbances. Mr. G.S. Crofts, also gave a good character of the prisoner; but, in cross-examination made the same admission that Mr. Millward had done. Mr. Rogers gave a good character of Fleming, with whom he has had many dealings. Mr. Wrixon also gave a good character of Fleming, and added, that he had a gun for shooting ducks, which he gave up at the commencement of the disturbance. The Rev. Daniel O'Brien, Parish Priest of Churchtown, gave a good character of Flynn and Fleming. Mr. Robert Freeman likewise spoke favourably of Flynn, as did Mr. Glover, both of Flynn and Fleming. The case being closed on both sides his Lordhship proceeded to charge the Jury, in the course of which he observed, that their verdict must depend upon the opinion as to the guilt or innocence of Flynn. The Learned Judge made several other observations, and concluded by observing they had an important duty to discharge, which he was sure they would perform with strict impartiality and justice. The Jury retired, and in a few minutes returned with a verdict of Not Guilty for all the prisoners. The Court was crowded and appeared gratified at the verdict. Cathy Joynt Labath Ireland Old News http://www.IrelandOldNews.com/