Published: Wednesday, 25th August, 2010 5:00pm

Pages from the Past

1860

Assault in The Pigeons

The Three Jolly Pigeons is a well-known public house in South Westmeath to this day.

150 years ago, an incident occurred in a pub in The Pigeons, which made the news in the Westmeath Independent.

"On Sunday night, last a gang of thirty lawless ruffians visited the house of a man named Murray, who, not many yards from the once "sweet village of Auburn" dispenses under the sign of the "Pigeons" "entertainment to man and beast", with, as it appears, the intention of seriously punishing some persons enjoying themselves in that hostelry for an infraction of the rules of the Ribbon Society".

"Unfortunately, two men named Maleady and McLoughlin were recognised and dragged forth beaten in an inhuman and savage manner by this party, who then decamped without giving utterance to a sentence that might lead to the discovery of the cause of this outrage."

"Maleady appears to have had some intimation of the visit and the leaders of the party, as he at once named the principals, Maguire and McCormack, whom the Walderstown police were quickly sent in pursuit of, and succeeded in arresting McCormack the same night."

"On Monday, Mr Dawson of Noghville took the depositions of Maleady, and committed McCormick for trial. The promptness with which the Sub-Inspector, Mr. Kirkland, arranged this arrest, and had it carried out, is deserving of praise. Maguire has, for the present, escaped."