Co. Galway Assizes
The Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal, 1st February, 1860 p4
Thursday, July 28
Robert W was indicted for stealing €4; the property of WG at Galway, on the 22nd of April last. The prisoner, a most intelligent boy, about fourteen years of age, defended himself.
It appeared he was born in Belfast, and for three weeks, prior to the offence had been a servant boy in the employment of a Mr. G who keeps an inn in Galway; and on the night of the 22nd of April he was sent by his master to fetch the prisoner’s trunk from the place where he had been staying to Mr G’s house. The prosecutor had £7 in it at the time and in the morning he missed £4, which he stated the prisoner admitted, in the presence of Mr. and Mrs. G that he had taken.
Mr. G corroborated the statement as to the prisoner’s admission of his guilt. The prosecutor was cross-examined by the prisoner as to his drunken habits and as to several statements he had made about having only £2 in his trunk, with a tact and ability that astonished everyone in court, and enlisted the sympathy of the members of the Bar present, one of whom (a leading Q.C.) stated his intention of adopting him — provided he was acquitted — and bringing him up to the Bar.
The prisoner having finished the cross-examination of all the witnesses produced, proceeded with all the acuteness and self possession of an Old Bailey advocate, to address the jury, commenting on the evidence and on the non production, by the Crown, of a material witness (Mrs G); and he stated that he had made the confession alluded to, under compulsion. the prosecutor having threatened to lash the brains out of him with a stick, which he held over him if he did not confess.
The jury acquitted the prisoner.
The Burren and Beyond 