Before Messrs. I. M. Lefray, in the chair, A. N. Bmly, J. McDermott, and Dr Keogh, the Killaloe Petty Sessions heard several cases. District Inspector Steadman acted as the prosecutor.
Mr Edward Hayes of O’Gonnelloe faced allegations of breaching the Licensing Act by supplying drinks to two non-resident travellers. Mr Moran, a solicitor from Limerick, defended him. This case had previously been investigated, resulting in fines for the travellers who admitted crossing the Shannon from the Tipperary side to obtain drinks at Hayes’s public house in O’Gonnelloe. An adjournment was granted in Edward Hayes’s case as he intended to employ a competent engineer to measure the distance from his licensed premises to where the individuals resided. Mr Rosengrave, an engineer, testified that the distance from their location to Hayes’s premises on the Clare side was three and a quarter miles. The publican stated that he had always considered people from the nearby shore on the other side to be bona fide travellers. After a lengthy hearing, the case was dismissed without prejudice.
In another case, Mr Thomas Gaynor of O’Gonnelloe was prosecuted for allowing an intoxicated individual on his licensed premises. Mr Moran defended Mr Gaynor, describing him as a highly respectable man who had been in business for over thirty years. The defence argued that the prosecution stemmed from a sense of vindictiveness on the part of the sergeant. Sergeant Lennon testified to finding the man under the influence of drink sitting on a barrel and stated that two hours passed before the individual left the premises. Mr Gaynor claimed he was unaware of the man’s presence in the crowded shop and had not served him any drinks that day. The case was dismissed without prejudice.
Lastly, two canal boatmen, Patrick Tierney and James Sheridan, were charged with assaulting Sergeant Jameson and Constable McDermott, as well as being intoxicated. According to the evidence, Tierney struck Sergeant Jameson in the face and kicked Constable McDermott, who was unable to appear in court. Tierney was fined £1 and costs for the assault and £3 and costs for being drunk. Sheridan, on the other hand, was acquitted of the assault charge but fined 5s and costs for being under the influence of alcohol.
Limerick Echo – Tuesday 27 September 1904
