Ruth Cannon BL, Barrister, Four Courts History
Sharing old stories from Ireland's historic centre of justice.
From the Oxford Journal, 28 July 1764:
“IRELAND
Dublin, July 17. Last Friday Night some Revenue Officers made a Seizure at Howth of 160 Casks of Tea; but they were soon after attacked by a Number of Smugglers, when a desperate Engagement ensued, in which one Higley, a Smuggler, was killed; only seven Casks out of the whole Parcel, were carried off by the Officers. A Brother to the Deceased was taken Prisoner by the Officers, and this Day sent to Town, guarded by a Serjeant and four private
From the Leeds Times, 4 January 1879:
“A disgraceful scene was witnessed the other day in Greek-street, Dublin, near the police courts, where two women engaged in a fierce contest, surrounded by a ring of male and female backers. They scratched, pummelled, and tore one another for fully an hour, the fight being artfully suspended on two occasions when a constable appeared. Each had possessed herself of a large portion of her antagonist’s hair, their forms were nearly naked,
From the Ballymena Observer, 1951:
“Wearing of Caps in Courthouse
Judge Refers to Old Tradition
An incident in Ballymena Courthouse on Monday, during the Quarter Sessions, prompted Judge Begley KC to refer to a tradition peculiar to that Court. A man who was leaving the building, had just reached the flagged portion and put on his cap. A police officer requested him to remove it, which he did. His Honour interrupted the business to remark that there was a very old tradition
From the Dublin Evening Telegraph, 1 May 1915:
“DEPARTURE FROM DUBLIN
Enthusiastic Send off
The departure of the 7th Batt. Royal Dublin Fusiliers, known as the ‘Pals’ Battalion, was responsible for remarkable scenes of enthusiasm in Dublin.
Crowds lined the whole route, and the windows along the streets were filled with cheering spectators. Practically all classes of the community are represented in the Battalion, which had a large number of professional men, barristers, solicitors,
