Local Studies Department

Naas Poor Law Union - April 13th, 1839

Page 4 Column e

It is evident from the manner in which the officers, guardians &co. are elected in the several unions already marked out, under the new Poor Law, that the whole thing is in the hands of the Priests. At Naas, out of 28 guardians, 26 are Roman Catholics. At a meeting a few days since, of the above guardians, Mr Beauman, a most respectable magistrate, and Grand Juror of the county - and whose intelligence and business habits were so universally commended in the latter capacity, at the late assizes - along with Major Hornidge, were proposed for one of the higher officers. Mr Dunne, of Tully, a Roman Catholic and an agitator, and Mr John P. Hickey (a leather cutter) of the same creed and politics were put up in opposition, and returned. Some days before the election of guardians took place, Priest Doyle publicly called on the people from the Altar, to vote for none but Mr Hickey, Mr M’Donnell and Mr Headon. Although the most respectable landholders were candidates at the time, but there was one fatal objection to them. They were Protestants!