ANGLO CELT - September 8, 1853 ------------------------------ COOTEHILL PETTY SESSIONS. SATURDAY, AUGUST 27, Before John VEEVERS, Esq., R.M., Bailieborough, in the first instance, solus, but he was subsequently joined by Eyre COOTE, Esq. VIOLENT ASSAULT SO AS TO ENDANGER LIFE. James TRAYNOR v. John M'GLADE, Shoemaker, Andrew CLARKE, labourer, Susan FLOODY, and Richard John MAGEE. They were arraigned, for having on the night of Friday, 5th August, (the three latter having been in custody ever since, in consequence of Surgeon James SHARP, the medical attendant of the district, having certified that the complainant's life was in imminent danger) assaulted him, complainant, by striking him a violent blow with a stone on the forehead, which caused a concussion of the brain. The complainant stated on being sworn, that he did charge the defendant, MAGEE, with having struck him with a stone, which caused his so serious illness, but he found that he was quite mistaken, and that he had no recollection or knew no more of the matter, therefore MAGEE after a serious caution from the intelligent magistrate (Mr. VEEVERS), was discharged ; and Andrew CLARKE, and John M'GLADE were upon the evidence of said Susan FLOODY, (who, under a wrong impression of the case, was admitted as an approver), Edward GREENAN, and George SHEILS, convicted and sentenced to pay a fine o! f £4 and costs, or be imprisoned for two months each at hard labour, his worship (Mr. VEEVERS) stating at same time that he regretted much that the legislature did not empower him as a magistrate, to inflict a longer time of imprisonment, as the offence was of a very serious nature -- the Italian spirrhi mode of assassinating, or attempting to assasinate(sic), innocent and inoffensive parties on the public streets without cause or motive for so doing ; and that such a system should be put down with the strong arm of the law, and that the punishment to be inflicted upon the parties convicted was not done, so much to punish them as to deter other persons from the perpetration of similar offences ; and, he hoped for the credit of the constabulary force in this country that they would make or at least endeavour to make the parties convicted of this heinous offence amenable to the law, as the warrant for their apprehension should remain in force until rescinded by a court of comp! etent jurisdiction. Our Reporter informs us that the real facts of the case are as follows, although they were not proved in evidence before the court : -- The complainant, who, it was evident, had made up his mind to prosecute, and if the matter depended upon him there would have been no conviction, had a cart and horse (he being a carrier), laden with butter, and about to proceed with same to Dundalk at about a 1/4 past 10 o'clock on the night in question, it being the market night of Cootehill, and whilst so engaged, Susan Floody accosted him, and he not acceding(sic) to her terms, an altercation ensued, when, in self-protection, he threatened to use a whip with which he was armed, whereupon she ran up the street, and procured the persons convicted, and others not amenable, to commit the deadly assault upon the complainant, and against whom she, to protect and save herself, because what is termed a stag or approver ; it is, therefore, to be hoped, that this fact will have a salutary effect u! pon others, not to be influenced by such wretches in the commission of offences of a similar nature in future. ASSAULT UPON A BLINK IRISH HARPER, AND BREAKING HIS HARP. James M;CAULEY, a blind Irish Harper, v. Michael KEONE The defendant, a blacksmith, was convicted and sentenced to six weeks' imprisonment at hard labour, for having, on the 24th August, assaulted complainant, and broken his harp, in Cootehill. It appeared in evidence that the defendant was drunk, and requested the complainant to play some favourite tune of his, which he declined to do, whereupon he assaulted him and broke his harp, which he received from the Belfast Irish Harp Institution, in which he was taught as dark or blind pupil. The defendant was fined one pound for the assault and one pound for the injury done to the harp, with costs. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- County Cavan Newspaper Transcription Project