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The long arm of the law – 1817

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser 6th December, 1817 p.3 (abridged)Watch
Last Tuesday, (April 22) Roger O’Conner, Esq., was apprehended at Palace Anne, near Badon, and is now in custody in this city on a charge of having been an accomplice in the robbery of the Galway mail coach in the year 1812, when it was attacked at Cappagh Hall, county Kildare, and robbed of a considerable sum in Bank Post Bills, and a gold repeating watch, the property of Mr. Pearse of Loughrea.

It appears that the Magistrates of the Head Police Office, Dublin, having received information of Mr. O’Connor having been concerned in the above robbery, dispatched Mr. R. Gilbert, a police officer in their employment, with warrants for the apprehension of Mr O’Connor and his son, and the warrants having been duly backed by the Mayor of Cork, Mr. Gilbert proceeded in the first instance to Fort Robert in this county (N.S.W), where he arrested the son, who was confined by severe illness to his bed. Being authorised by a search warrant, he made a search at Fort Robert and found a pawnbroker’s ticket for a gold repeating watch, which had been pawned in this city by the son, under a fictitious name. The watch is now in Mr G.’s possession. There is yet, however, no proof of its being the same as that which was taken at the robbery of the Galway mail coach.

Mr. G. then proceeded to Palace Anne, and arrested the father. On their arrival in this city, bail was tendered to the Mayor for Mr. O’Connor’s appearance to answer the charge, but was refused on the ground of its being not legally bailable. A magistrate of this county, having guaranteed the appearance of Mr. Arthur O’Connor when called on, and his state of health not permitting his removal with safety, was suffered to remain for the present at Fort Robert.
(Cork Advertiser).

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