Limerick, Monday – In a shocking incident, Thomas McMahon and John Hannan were charged with assaulting Warder Thomas E. Ballam of the Limerick Male Prison on Sunday evening. The incident took place around 6:15 pm while Ballam was in the vicinity of the jail.

During the court hearing on Monday morning, it was revealed that both McMahon and Hannan had been under Warder Ballam’s supervision during their time in prison. McMahon brought up grievances about his treatment while incarcerated and subsequently grabbed a stick, while Hannan joined in by delivering a powerful blow to the left side of Ballam’s head.

Fearing for his safety, Ballam quickly defended himself with his own stick, prompting the assailants to retreat. He promptly reported the incident to the police, leading to the arrest of the two men.

This assault on Warder Ballam is a grave offence, adding to the list of charges against both defendants. McMahon had previously faced six charges of drunkenness, and just the day before the incident, he was arrested again for the same offence. As a result, he was sentenced to one month in jail for each drunkenness charge.

John Hannan, on the other hand, faced his first offence of drunkenness within the past twelve months and was fined £5.

Upon hearing the serious nature of the assault on Warder Ballam, the presiding judge, Mr Hickson, decided to remand both men to Petty Sessions, where they will face further legal proceedings.

The safety and well-being of prison staff are paramount, and such incidents highlight the need for proper security measures and protocols to ensure their protection. The court’s decision to remand the assailants reflects the gravity of the situation and sends a clear message about the consequences of violent behavior towards prison staff.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 21 March 1905