Then on August 17 the so called Maamtrasna Murders were committed. It was a crime that the local police dreaded not only because of its horrific nature, but because of the unlikelihood that the perpetrators would ever be found. Usually in a closeknit community, such as at Maamtrasna , the murderers would never be revealed, at least never to the police.
But surprisingly, the day following the Murders, Anthony Joyce (a cousin of the murdered man ), with his brother Johnny and his nephew Paddy, all from the nearby parish of Cappanacreha, three miles from the murder scene, went to the police with an astonishing tale. These Joyces, gave a sworn statement that they had followed a crowd of men that fateful night, they saw them joined by other men, and saw them approach John Joyce's house at Maamtrasna. Hidden behind a bush, they heard the noise at the door, and saw some of the men enter the house, while others stayed outside. Anthony heard shouting and screeching. 'He could not distinguish the screams of the women from those of the men.'
He named 10 men whom he alleged were out that night as follows: Anthony Philbin, Tom Casey, Martin Joyce, Myles Joyce, Patrick Joyce, and Tom Joyce of Cappanacreha. Pat Joyce (Shanvalleycahill ), Patrick Casey, John Casey, and Michael Casey. They were duly rounded up and brought before the magistrates at Cong, and charged.
Determined to convict
The court case followed fast and hard. It took place in Green Street court house, Dublin, on November 1 1882, in front of Lord Justice Barry. Acting for the defence was George Orme Malley, briefed by solicitor Henry Concannon of Tuam. None of whom spoke Irish. Neither did the prosecution team led by the Irish attorney general William Moore Johnson. It was briefed by George Bolton, the crown solicitor, who was determined to secure convictions even to the extent of ignoring evidence to the contrary. But all that was to be revealed later.
At the opening of the case all Bolton had was the sworn evidence of the witnesses from Cappanacreha. He rightly doubted whether they were reliable witnesses. Theses Joyces were known to be deadly enemies of three of the accused Myles Joyce, Martin Joyce, and Patrick Joyce. Their lands were practically adjacent to each other; yet they were frequently at each other's throats, accusing each other of trespassing and sheep-stealing. Bolton allowed the Cappanacrehas to give their evidence, but he zeroed in on Philbin and his brother-in-law Tom Casey. Both had worked in England, and spoke English fluently.
Philbin was not in the murder gang, and knew nothing until he heard about it the following day. In fact he was at a 'wake' the entire night, and had witnesses to prove he never left the house; but he was so terrified that he agreed to give State's evidence, to become an 'approver' in the parlance of the time, and to verify the Cappanacrehas version of events.
Tom Casey was a more difficult man to turn; especially as he was with the murder gang who went to John Joyce's house that fateful night. Bolton, with his assistant Brady, told him that if he wanted to save his skin he must go along with Philbin, and agree with the Cappanacreha' story.
Instead Casey began to tell them the truth, about his part in the murder; but Bolton cut him off, and warned him that he didn't want to hear that story. All he wanted was for him to follow Philbin into the witness box and agree with him. Casey said that he could not do that. He was sent back to his cell.*
But Bolton didn't give up. On the morning of the trial, and when Philbin was called from his cell to begin his false testimony, the other nine knew he had gone to swear their lives away. Understandably they must have despaired. A warden called out Casey's name, and when he was escorted upstairs, he was taken into an office where Bolton and Brady were seated.
Bolton said: "Casey, this is your last chance to save your neck. Will you give evidence or not?"
Casey still hesitated.
Bolton: "I'll give you 20 minutes in which to make up your mind. If you don't say 'yes' you will be the fourth man to be put on trial, and you will surely be hanged."
Hesitating for only a few minutes, Casey agreed. He was shown a copy of Philbin's testimony and agreed to repeat the same story.
Template to hanging
First in the dock was Pat Joyce, who had a reputation as a hard man, being at the heart of most of the violence and disorder that took place locally. After the third day of the trial, (much of the evidence delayed as interpreters struggled with meanings and language ), and after the jury was out for only eight minutes, Pat Joyce was found guilty, and sentenced to be hanged in Galway on December 15.
A template had been laid down in that first trial, which was followed for the next two trials. A 'guilty' verdict was handed down on Pat Casey, followed by the same verdict on Myles Joyce, an elderly man, who did not appear to have the slightest knowledge of what was being said. Though he must have understood the significance of the black cap placed on Justice Barry when the dreaded sentence was passed.
At this stage it must have been evident that the five remaining prisoners were doomed, despite their protestations of innocence. Their solicitor, Henry Concannon, persuaded Bolton to allow their parish priest, Fr Michael McHugh, to intervene, to see if he could persuade them to plead guilty if it meant a life sentence in gaol rather than the rope.
Bolton agreed. The priest, although he believed they were innocent, argued with them that even if they were guilty, a guilty plea now would save their lives. If they were innocent, the truth would be known some day. He urged them to save their lives, and plead guilty. This they did. They each received a life sentence, with hard labour.
Next week: The sensational confession of two of the condemned; and Myles Joyce’s botched hanging.
