The Bowles of Canada and their Roots in Ireland and England 

back to The Incident at Newtownbarry

Trial at the Wexford Assizes, July 16, 1831

Extracts from the Witness Testimonies

Wexford Assizes – Newtown Barry

Indictments

The King against Captain Graham and John Deacon

Witnesses: Martin Doyle, Marks Devereaux, John Curran, Harry Hogan, Charles Morris, Miles Doyle, James Redmond, Joseph Byrne, Moses Doyle.

That John Deacon did willfully murder a person unknown at N B on June 18th aided and abetted by Capt. Graham.

The King against Captain Graham and Thomas Giff

Witnesses: Bridget Sullivan, Marks Devereaux, John Curran, Harry Hogan, Charles Morris, Miles Doyle, James Redmond, Joseph Byrne, Moses Doyle.

That Thomas Giff did willfully murder Andrew McDonnell at N B on June 18th aided and abetted by Capt. Graham.

The King against Captain Graham and William Devit

Witnesses: Patrick Dillon, Marks Devereaux, John Curran, Harry Hogan, Charles Morris, Miles Doyle, James Redmond, Joseph Byrne, Moses Doyle.

That Thomas Giff did willfully murder Miles Dillon at N B on June 18th aided and abetted by Capt. Graham.

The King against Captain Graham and William Kilfoyle

Witnesses: Terence O’Brien, Marks Devereaux, John Curran, Harry Hogan, Charles Morris, Miles Doyle, James Redmond, Joseph Byrne, Moses Doyle.

That Thomas Giff did willfully murder Mary Mulrooney at N B on June 18th aided and abetted by Capt. Graham.

Marks Devereaux against Capt. William Graham and others: Shooting at and killing and wounding divers persons at Newtown Barry.

Testimony: Summary events as heard by the coroner’s jury, added fact that crowd called on Capt. Graham to hold the sale until Mr. Feltus returned with the success of his arbitration proposal to Rev. Mr. McClintock, Graham insisted on proceeding with the auction and marched the police with the cattle up the road away from the pound, some stones were thrown and the yeomen pushed their bayonets towards the crowd, Graham ordered them to fire,  a single shot was fired from near Graham and then a couple more and then a general firing ensued, informant saw killed by that firing: Andrew McDonnell, a boy named Waters, Patrick Leary, one Butler, a man named Neill, a John Byrne, a yeoman of the name Rogan; he saw the following yeoman present and leveling their firearms although he can’t say who fired at who: John Deacon of Ryland, Francis Perrin of Ballypreakis, Robert Perrin his son, William Heany of same, John Kearns of same, John Perrin of N B, a man named Humphreys of same, John Green of same, Alexander Jordan of N B, Atkins of Irish Street, N B, Henry Jordan of N B,  Beale of Carrigduff co. Carlow, Richard Swain of N B, James Waters of Barnahesk, co. Carlow, John Moulton of same, John Williams of Tomodilly or Skihane, a person believed to be named Farrell from near Enniscorthy. 

John Curran and Terence O’Brien against Capt. Graham, Kilfoyle and others

Curran’s Testimony: shorter version of events, heard Graham order the firing, described the dead persons he saw laying about.

O’Brien’s Testimony: did not hear order to fire, saw Kilfoyle shoot Mary Mulrooney after the rest had stopped firing,

Harry Hogan against Capt. Graham, Alexander Jordan and others

Testimony: heard Capt. Graham give the order after John Deacon of Ryland appealed to him for permission to fire as they were hard pressed by the crowd, said that one of the shots fired by the yeomanry struck their own man William Rogan,  it was Moulton who fired that shot.

James Dillon and John Myler against Capt. Graham and others

Dillon Testimony: similar testimony but little detail. 

Myler Testimony: was shot and wounded by Alexander Jordan, otherwise similar account of events.

Charly Morris and Biddy Sullivan against Capt. Graham, Alexander Jordan and others

Morris Testimony: heard Graham give the order to fire, same.

Sullivan Testimony: saw Thomas Giff of Ballynapark who she knows shoot Andrew McDonnell as he was runninga way across the field.

John Doyle and Patrick Dillon against Roger Plunket and William Devit

Doyle Testimony: same

Dillon Testimony: saw William Devit of Carrigduff, as yeoman, and three other yeomen fire toward Miles Dillon who was running away and fell dead with three wounds.

Bridget Foley, Michael Connors and Martin Doyle against Graham, Moulton and others

Foley Testimony: saw Moulton present his gun at her but she hid behind a tree, immediately she stepped out she was wounded.

Connors Testimony: it was Alexander Jordon, yeoman, of N B who fired the first shot, was wounded while lying hidden in a ditch.

Doyle Testimony: heard Graham give the order to fire. 

Information by John Ralph, shopkeeper of N B. (and McClintock’s agent for tithe collection)  Best overview of the lead-in to the incident but no new information.

John Browne and Richard King against Graham and Others

John Browne testimony:  nothing new; he was shot in the leg while his horse was running away with him.

Richard King testimony:  Chief Constable of Police, co. Wexford; usual account until the firing started; then says he saw Graham riding up and down striking with his sabre at yeomen’s rifles (firelocks) trying to stop them from firing; he heard no order to fire; did not see a single stone thrown; saw no arms with the people, only sticks.

See The Bowles of Canada

See  The Bowles of Ireland

See The Bowles of Great Britain

This page was last updated 10/18/18