From the Pilot, 26 June 1829, this story of the exciting day-to-day life of Irish politician and barrister Daniel O’Connell, and the patience of Dublin magistrates with those who sought to gain notoriety by threatening him:

“Mr O’Connell – DARING ATROCITY

(from The Morning Register of Thursday)

HEAD POLICE OFFICE – Mr O’Connell, accompanied by Mr Dominick Ronayne, and other gentlemen, came before the sitting magistrates, yesterday morning, to prefer peace informations against the unfortunate gentleman, Mr Toby Glascock, whose mental infirmities have frequently brought him before the public notice.

It appeared that about two o’clock on Tuesday Mr Glascock was seen roaming about the Hall of the Four Courts, armed with a detonating gun, fixed in a large bamboo cane, which he exhibited to a number of gentlemen, stating at the same time that he would wager one thousand guineas that he would ‘shoot the ruffian O’Connell through the white liver, without touching his black heart.’

He also offered to bet a large sum of money that he would outlive Mr O’Connell, and he declared his determination to get his servant (a little black dwarf, who was waiting in the yard) ‘to horsewhip the demagogue.’

Mr Ronayne was one of the gentlemen in whose hearing the denunciations against Mr O’Connell were uttered, and he deemed it prudent to apprise the gentleman of the circumstances. Mr Ronayne thought such a course was the more necessary, on account of the wild demeanour of Mr Glascock, who had stated in his presence, a few days before, that as the Burking system had been put an end to, and as the bill for legalising the sale of bodies for the purpose of anatomy had been withdrawn, he would supply the deficiency by affording bodies at the rate of at least ten per day. Whilst he made this observation, Mr Glascock was unscrewing his gun, which was charged with powder and a leaden bullet, for the purpose of shewing Mr Ronayne and others, the facility with which it could be used.

Having learned that Mr O’Connell was in the Court of Chancery, Mr Ronayne proceeded there, and found the Learned Gentleman addressing the Court, in reply to Sergeant Lefroy. Mr Ronayne waited until he had concluded, and then stated to him the circumstances. Mr O’Connell at first treated the matter lightly, and regarded the language used by Glascock as the effusion of a disordered imagination; but upon the repeated remonstrances of Mr Ronayne and other gentlemen who had seen and heard Glascock, and who represented the danger of allowing such a person to remain at large, Mr O’Connell deemed it necessary to have him bound over to keep the peace, and for that purpose, as soon as the Courts were up, he repaired with Mr Ronayne to the Head Police Office, but as the magistrates had departed before their arrival, Mr O’Connell had to postpone his application till yesterday.

Mr Ronayne stated to the magistrates, the facts above detailed, regarding the conduct of Mr Glascock. Mr O’Connell said he had reason to believe that Mr Glascock was at present in such a state of mental excitement, as to be capable of committing any act of violence towards him; and he conceived that such securities should be required as would make it incumbent upon the persons entering into recognisances to take proper precautions.

The Magistrates agreed that this was a case in which securities to a large amount should be required’ and they directed that the joint informations of Mr O’Connell and Mr Ronayne should be taken. The depositions of those gentlemen were accordingly sworn, and a warrant for the apprehension of Mr Glascock was made out, which was confided to Peace-officer Manly. By direction of the Magistrates, Manly proceeded forthwith to the residence of Mr Glascock, in South Frederick Street, and arrested him as he was about to enter a carriage at the door.

Mr Glascock was taken in custody to this office, where the Magistrates informed him that he should enter into a recognisance himself in the sum of 500l, and give to sureties in 250l each.

Mr Glascock loudly declared that he had no intention to take away the life of Mr O’Connell, and the language he had used, apparently evidencing such a purpose, was spoken merely in a metaphorical sense; and in his (Mr Glascock’s) opinion, it would be extremely ungenerous to deprive a man of a common poetical license.

The Magistrates, however, differed from Mr Glascock, and ordered him to be detained in custody until the required securities were entered into. He was allowed to remain in the waiting-room, in order to have an opportunity of communicating with his friends.

In the course of the day Lord Muskerry, Mr Scriven, the barrister, and one of his sons, called to see the prisoner. His lordship stated his readiness to become one of the sureties, but feared he would not be accepted, as he was not a householder of Dublin.

Mr Scriven stated his unwillingness to interfere.

At three o’clock all the Magistrates, except Mr Tudor, left the office, ,and that gentleman remained for the purpose of taking bail, if it should be offered.

At this time Mr Glascock was busily employed in writing an address to the freeholders of Clare, and ‘more particularly to the Catholic portion of them,’ complaining of his detention in custody.

At half-past five o’clock Mr Glascock was again brought into the board-room, and the magistrate asked if there was any prospect of his obtaining bail.

‘Oh, my dear Sir, to be sure’ replied Mr Glascock ‘but there is not the slightest occasion, for I am as mild as a child, and thanks be to God, blessed with a most extraordinary command of temper. I assure you, if Mr O’Connell knocked me down this moment, I should not say a word. I am now occupied in writing to the people of Clare, and when my friends arrive, I shall give you a call.’

Mr Tudor said, that as his dinner hour had arrived, he would be obliged to leave the office for some time; but if Mr Glascock desired it, he had no objection to return at seven o’clock. Mr Glascock expressed his thanks, and stated that by that time, at all events, his sureties would be ready.

Shortly after seven o’clock Mr Tudor came to the office; but there were no sureties – in fact there was no one with the prisoner but the peace-officer and Mr Scriven, jun. A committal was made out and signed by Mr Tudor, and Mr Glascock, Mr Scriven, and a brace of officers set out in a coach for Newgate, where Mr Glascock is at present sojourning.”

Toby Glascock was an attorney and amateur actor, well known in Dublin for his practical jokes and repartee in court, and a bitter enemy of Daniel O’Connell.

Would he have been carried away enough by his own rhetoric to carry out his threat?

Thanks to the speedy and efficient intervention of Mr Ronayne and Mr Tudor, we are spared from knowing!

More on Mr Glascock anon!