A peculiar matrimonial tale unfolded at the Limerick Quarter Sessions recently, involving a young man named John Donovan and an unsuspecting elderly woman named Mary O’Mara. Donovan, formerly in military service, faced charges of obtaining £11 5s. Under false pretences from Ms. O’Mara through a crafty and misleading scheme.

In a surprising turn of events, Donovan pleaded “Guilty” to the charges, admitting to orchestrating an elabourate ruse to secure funds from the credulous Ms. O’Mara. The court heard that Donovan, with a certain charm and persuasive prowess, convinced the older woman that he was deeply in love with her and proposed marriage. Under the guise of needing funds to finalize the preliminary arrangements, Donovan borrowed a sum of money from Ms. O’Mara.

The unsuspecting Ms. O’Mara, described as “old enough to be his mother,” wholeheartedly believed Donovan’s professions of love and reciprocated with the enthusiasm of youth. The two even embarked on a journey together from Bruff to Kilmallock, ostensibly to secure a marriage licence and meet with a priest, with plans for the nuptials set for the following morning.

However, the morning brought an unexpected twist. Donovan, perhaps influenced by an overindulgence in alcohol, was not in a suitable state for the impending marriage, leading to a postponement. It was then that Ms. O’Mara discovered the shocking truth – Donovan had recently married a younger woman, rendering his previous promises and professions to Ms. O’Mara nothing more than a deceptive charade.

In his defence, Donovan claimed that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time and therefore not entirely responsible for his actions. He pledged to repay the borrowed sum. The presiding Judge, however, was not swayed and decided that Donovan should be detained until the debt was settled.

With the intervention of Donovan’s wife, who promptly paid back the borrowed money, Donovan was discharged from custody. The Judge, delivering a parting remark amid laughter, quipped to Ms. O’Mara that she might be better off without the complications of marriage. Subtly acknowledging the bizarre and amusing nature of this deceptive matrimony tale that unfolded within the court’s chambers.

Reynolds’s Newspaper – Sunday 09 January 1910