Part 2 : - A chance for readers to act as Jury in a 200 year-old case....who do you believe - Peter Doyle or Edward Murphy ?. Note added by Michael Purcell, 2012 : this case caused great confusion among the Justices of the Peace, with Benjamin Bunbury believing and defending the "Sworn Information" he had obtained from Peter Doyle, the Reverend James Mcgrath was equally adamant that Edmund (spelt Edward on Bunbury's sheet ) Murphy was telling the truth, several other Justices became involved. Several members of the Kavanagh clan were examined and swore they knew nothing about the plot or payment of money, Doran swore likewise. James Byrne swore that he was approached by Nowlan to burn down Ballyellen Lodge but he heard nothing about shooting any person, he told Benjamin Bunbury that Nowlan and Hugh Nail had left the townland in January 1818 and had not been seen in the area since. It was decided that Edward Murphy and Peter Doyle should be held in Carlow Jail and that the matter should be settled by Lord Norbury ( the Hanging Judge himself ! ). One of the men had lied after swearing on the Holy Evangelists to tell the truth on examination before a Justice of the Peace for Carlow. Perjury was considered to be a very serious matter to be treated on the same level as murder or horse stealing. Perjury cases in Lord Norbury's court often carried the "death-by-hanging" sentence. Horse Pistols were long pistols that could be held in holsters attached to a horse saddle they were usually carried in pairs, one on each side. ] Pat Purcell Papers. 1818. The Information of Peter Doyle of Ballyellan, Carlow, Carpenter, taken before the Reverend James Mcgrath one of His Majestys Justices for the Peace for Carlow. Peter Doyle being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists and examined, Deposeth and Saith that about the month of April 1817 - he was applied to by Edmund Murphy of Ballyellan, Farmer, to put up some threatening notices at the Cross roads of Ballyellan, near Patrick Fenlon's house, for the purpose of preventing any person from taking the farm of Denis Barron, adjoining the Cross roads, then at the time out of Lease, and which Walter Blakeney, Esquire, of Ballyellan Lodge was the Landlord. That Peter Doyle did not put up any papers of that description, but wrote one of a threatening nature which he gave to the said Edmund Murphy. In the course of a few days afterwards Edmund Murphy gave Peter Doyle a Crown and desired him to go to the Barony of St. Mullins, and to collect some men to bring with him, for the purpose of burning Ballyellen Lodge. That Peter Doyle went part of the way with the plot, and pretended to the said Edmund Murphy that he had provided a party, but that it would be necessary to send a good deal of money to them. That said Murphy then sayth that it would not be advisable to burn Ballyellen Lodge, as it would bring a tax on the townland, but that it would be better to fire a shot into the house at the said Walter Blakeny, and the said Murphy did then tell Peter Doyle, that he had been in the Parlour with Walter Blakeney, the Evening before and did describe to Peter Doyle the place Walter Blakeney usually sat in, in his parlour, and described the spot. That Edmund Murphy did then tell Peter Doyle the place he should stand in outside the window and the direction in which he should fire. That Edmund Murphy did then give Peter Doyle a Horse Pistol with about half a pound of Gunpowder and about a pound of Swan Drops, desiring him to load the Pistol with them, and to put a bullet or ball in along with them, strictly charging Peter Doyle to fire at the said Walter Blakeney, Esquire, stating that if the shot even missed Mr Blakeney, it would have the effect of frightening Mrs Blakeney and that then Mr Walter Blakeney, would never return to Ballyellan, and by that means no one would dare take any of the lands. And that he the said Edmund Murphy would then get the lands -- Peter Doyle Saith that all through this business He appeared to agree with the said Murphy, for the purpose of knowing what his intentions were, and as soon as he found out they were of a bloody nature, He told the said Murphy, that he would have nothing to do in the business, and if anything happened to Mr Blakeney he would swear against him. Peter Doyle Saith, that he told his brother Patrick Doyle, and several others of the intentions and plots of said Murphy, particularly Patrick Doyle according as the different plots were going on. Patrick Doyle advised him to seem to agree to the plots, until he knew the full extent of Edmund Murphys intentions. That the said Murphy having asked Peter Doyle in some days after giving him the Pistol and ammunition as aforesaid, why he had not done the job, he said it was sugar instead of Gunpowder he had given him and that the said Murphy did give him another paper of Gunpowder, about a quarter a half a pound and that on Peter Doyle reproaching him with his bloody intentions, the said Edmund Murphy demanded the return of the Pistol, which Peter Doyle kept for four of five months before he returned it to Edmund Murphy. (signed) Peter Doyle. Sworn before me this 8th day of August 1818. (signed) James Magrath