THE CONNAUGHT JOURNAL Galway, Thursday, February 3, 1825 LIMERICK PETTY SESSIONS - Jan. 21 UTTERING FORGED NOTES - EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCE Ryan and Ferguson v. Thos. Kell and Jane Dwyer Mr. M. Ryan, one of the parties who keeps a respectable wool and drapery establishment in Patrick-street, stated, that on Saturday last, about 4 o'clock, Jane Dwyer came into his shop, and after agreeing for 2 1/2 yards of kersey, gave a 30s. bank of Ireland note in payment; Mr. Ryan asked her particularly about the note, and also her sums, as she had about 14 days before passed him a note that was doubtful; she said her name was J. Dwyer, and she lived in Adair, and had got it at market for a pig she sold, and that the person who gave it wrote his name on the back. Mr. Ryan looked at the name, and saw John Costello, beautifully written, almost to equal copperplate. It seemed extraordinary, that in the hurry of a market, and where the best pens are not always to be had, that the name should be so carefully and elegantly done, and he went out and was told of several that it was a good note; but on his return the woman was gone. A daughter of his pointed to a man standing nearby opposite the door, and said, that he was with the woman when she posted the other note, about a fortnight before. Mr. Ryan brought the man into the shop and asked him about Jane Dwyer; he admitted knowing her, but would not tell where she was to be met with. He was accordingly brought to the Police-office by Mr. Ryan and his son, and searched in their presence by a Policeman. Some cord and a piece of calico were found on him, which Mr. Ryan afterwards discovered were purchased from Mr. Ferguson, in George's-street, a pound note, some silver, and a 30s. note, the very same as that which Jane Dwyer had passed, and also adornment which the public interest required him (Mr. R.) to produce, and of which the following is a copy: "To the Magistrate, Rathkeale., "The bearer, Thomas Kell, is working for me, secretly, and I think, with sincerity; I trust, he will do some essential service to the public - Jan. 19, 1822. "T.P. Vokes." Sir C. Marrell - This cannot possibly be Mr. Voke's hand-writing. It is, I suppose, another forgery. Serjeant-Major (City Police) - No, your Worship, it is Mr. Voke's writing. The notes were then handed up to the Bench, and, with the exception of one pound-note, they were all declared by Mr. Roche to be forgeries. Mr. W. Ferguson, jun, said, that about three o'clock on Saturday, a woman came into his shop and bought some cord and calico, and gave a 30s. Bank of Ireland, note in payment to his father. The goods came to 4s. 10 1/2 d. and Mr. Ferguson gave her, besides some silver, a pound note, upon which he wrote "John Browne," the name of the person from whom he received it. He afterwards saw the note, and was informed by the Policeman who found it, that it was not on the prisoner Kell's person. The 30s. note which Mr. Ferguson's father received, agreed both in number and date, and was the very same appearance of that which was passed on Mr. Ryan, and that discovered on Kell. J. Prendergast was the Policeman who searched the prisoner Kell, and found the notes, pass, &c. on him. Sir C. Marrell - Michael Kell, where did you get these notes? Prisoner - From C. Adamson, please your Worship. Q. - Why did you not send to Mr. Adamson? - I had no person to send. Q. - Or to Mr. Vokes? - I did not send to him your Worship, for the same reason. Serjeant Sparling - He did not send, your Worship, to Mr. Vokes. He send a man named Connolly, and I saw him rapping at Mr .Voke's door on yesterday. The prisoners were ordered to be committed for trial at the Assizes; and Mr. Ryan was informed that he should lodge a separate information, and Mr. Ferguson and his father a joint information, and Police officer Prendergast another. [Limerick Evening Post. Cathy Joynt Labath Ireland Old News http://www.IrelandOldNews.com/