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July 24, 2007

Contentious Sheriff's Sale in the Market Square - Jan. 1882

Police and infantry drafted in for contentious sale of livestock from tenants of the Borrowes estate in lieu of rent - as reported in the Kildare Observer of 14 January 1882.

Kildare Observer 14/1/1882 p. 3.

SHERIFF’S SALE IN KILDARE.

 On Saturday morning at 11 o’clock, the cattle and horses of a number of tenants on the estate of Sir Erasmus Borrowes, D.L., were put up for sale in the Market-square, Kildare. The cattle and horses were seized under writs for rent. The tenants were Mary Lee, Thomas Lee, James Clinch, and James Rourke, due respectively the sums of ₤90, ₤80 1s. 10d.; ₤33 0s. 4d.; and ₤23 7s. 7d. A large number of police and infantry were drafted into the town, the latter being located in the Courthouse. All were under the civil command of Colonel the Hon. W. Forbes. The cattle were disposed of by Mr. H. A. Lee, sub-sheriff. A ring was formed in the Market-square, and into this the animals were driven by a number of bailiffs, who were escorted into the town, with cattle and horses by a detachment of cavalry. Prior to the sale taking place a goat was exhibited at the end of the town, and on his forehead was the line “Sir E. Buckshot.” No disturbance of any sort took place. At the commencement of the sale an altercation took place between Mr. Stephen Cleary and the police as to his right to enter the ring where the bidders were. In his capacity as a bidder he went forward and was told to stand back by one of the policemen; this he refused to do. Colonel Forbes called upon Sergeant Martin to put him back, and a young sub-constable received the same instructions. He then told the police that if they laid their hands on him he would summon them for assault. The altercation here ended, and he entered the ring. The Property Defence Association was represented by a Mr. White. The first lot of cattle put up was that of Mrs. Lee, and consisted of sixteen head; and the second lot was that of Thomas Lee. On an average, it was considered by judges present that the animals in both lots were worth ₤11 each. The bidding for them generally commenced at ₤1, and increased by farthings, &c. The cattle were all bought in by Mr. Anthony Hackett at prices varying from ₤5 to ₤7 10s. The next lot consisted of three horses, the property of Mr. Rourke. Mr. Cleary bought in two-one at ₤5 10s. and one at ₤10, and the third horse went to the representative of the Property Defence association, who offered the animal back at ₤8, the price paid. Mr. Rourke offered ₤1. The fourth lot, that of Mr. Clinch, comprised three cows and a bull. Mr. Clinch bought them in at ₤35 for the three cows and a ₤15 for the bull. The sub-sheriff received the full amount of the levy and costs. By noon the streets were clear and the town had assumed its normal condition.

Posted by mariocorrigan at July 24, 2007 10:39 PM