At the Castleconnell Petty Sessions presided over by Lord Massey on Monday, a case involving Thomas Ryan was brought before the court. Mr O’Hara represented the Crown, while Mr O’Sullivan acted as the defence solicitor for Ryan. The charges against Ryan stemmed from an incident on June 7th, where he was accused of assaulting Robert Richardson at Carrowkeel.

According to Richardson’s testimony, the defendant had attacked him with a stick without any provocation, resulting in a head injury. Richardson admitted to having consumed six or seven alcoholic drinks prior to the altercation. A constable also testified that Richardson appeared to have consumed alcohol, and another witness agreed that he seemed intoxicated.

In his defence, it was argued that Ryan was merely “wheeling” outside the Limerick Courthouse on the day Mr Barrington won the election. The defence suggested that he had indeed consumed six pints of alcohol but refuted the claim of possessing a knife, stating that such an allegation was a dangerous combination of false accusations.

On the other hand, Ryan, who had filed a cross-summons against Richardson, claimed that the latter had entered his yard and provocatively called out threats against him and anyone supporting Mackey. Ryan stated that in response, he grabbed Richardson’s shoulder, and when feeling threatened, he drew a knife from his hip pocket in self-defence. As a result, a scuffle ensued, during which Ryan struck Richardson.

During the proceedings, Mr C. O’Donnell, who defended Richardson, questioned the absence of the alleged knife, humorously remarking that finding it would require the skills of Sherlock Holmes.

The court ultimately sentenced Thomas Ryan to six weeks in prison for the assault, and the cross-case against him was dismissed.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 04 July 1905