Clare History:The Bodyke Evictions: Disturbances and Distress

Clare County Library

Clare History

The Bodyke Evictions: Disturbances and Distress
Transceiption of a four-page letter showing the deposition of Patrick Dwyer, the Limerick bailiff, who accompanied Colonel O’Callaghan’s land agent, Stannard MacAdam, onto the lands at Lisbarreen in March 1893. The sworn statement illustrates the difficulties of carrying out a distraint of goods in the highly-charged atmosphere that prevailed.
[page 1] Petty Sessions District of Tomgraney County of Clare The Information of Patrick Dwyer, Bailiff of Georges Quay, Limerick who saith on his oath that I am a Bailiff and reside at the above address. That on the morning of the 2nd March Inst about 7 o’clock I proceeded in company with Mr. S. McAdam (agent to Colonel O’Callaghan) and two other men from a protection post near Bodyke Co. Clare for the purpose of executing decrees for rent on the property of Colonel O’Callaghan. I was acting as Special Bailiff. We proceeded to the holding of a man named Halloran about a mile distant but effected no seizure there. We were leaving that	[page 2] that place when I saw Halloran rush at Mr Mcadam and seize hold of his rifle and attempt to twist it from his hand. I was about ten yards behind and I went immediately to Mr McAdam’s assistance. I saw Mr McAdam bleeding from the mouth. I heard him call upon Halloran to let go the rifle but he did not do so I assisted in trying to loosen the rifle from Hallorans grasp – Halloran did not let go the rifle until Mr McAdam threatened to shoot him and then he let
[page 3] let go. We next proceeded to the holding of a man named Curtin close by Hallorans. We there seized a cow and a donkey and car. Halloran followed us shouting and threatening all the way. A crowd of about twenty people had collected by this time and Halloran joined them. He had a stick in his hand. This crowd opposed our removing the cow + donkey + car I saw a man, whose name I believe is Nugent , in the crowd. He hunted the cow from me and I followed her. He	[page 4] He took up a big stone and swore out an oath that he would take my life if I attempted to follow the cow. Mr McAdam came up and helped me to get the cow out on to the road and we hadn’t gone ten yards when the crowd pelted stones at us. I looked back and I saw Halloran and Nugent in the crowd. They seemed to be the two ringleaders altogether. The crowd groaned and shouted us and Mr McAdam had to threaten to fire on them to kep them back. After that they did not do anymore to us.

Bodyke Evictions: Disturbances & Distress