Murder, robbery and genealogy
The Freeman’s Journal 4 March 1802
County Kildare
A Meeting of the Magistrates of the County of Kildare is requested at Naas, on Monday the 8th of March, at one o’clock, to take into consideration certain wicked and daring outrages that have lately taken place in the said County.
Feb. 27, 1802.
Leinster, Governor
County of Kildare
Whereas, on the morning of the 16th of January last, Mr. William Williamson was robbed and murdered near the road on the lands of Friarstown, adjoining the Curragh. The Rathangan Association, holding in the utmost abhorrence such atrocious crimes, will give the sum of one hundred guineas for apprehending and prosecuting to conviction, the person or persons who committed said horrid murder. And whereas, Patrick Tobin, of Tullylost, and Owen Connolly, of Pollardstown, in said County, stand charged with said Murder. The rathangan Association will give reward of forty guineas for apprehending both, or either of said persons, and lodging them in any of his Majesty’s Gaols, on application being made to their Treasurer, Mr. Joshua Pim.
Rathangan, Feb. 2, 1802.
Parick Tobin, about 5 feet 10 inches, or 5 feet 11 inches high, aged about 28 years, brown hair, smooth complexion, pale faced, two big teeth in front of his upper jaw, stout and well made, has an ulcer on one of his legs, which is swelled, usually wore a blue body coat and leather breeches, and grey outside coat.
Owen Connelly, about 5 feet 8 inches, or 5 feet 9 inches high, aged about 35 years, pale complexion, his nose projects a little upwards, rather heavy limbed, dark brown hair, a few grey hairs over his temples, usually wears good grey frieze clothing and leather breeches, and sometimes blue inside coat.
Dublin-Castle, Feb. 11, 1802.
His Excellency the Lord-Lieutenant, for better discovering and bringing to justice the persons concerned in the Robbery and Murder mentioned in the foregoing Advertisement, is pleased hereby to direct a further reward for one hundred pounds to be paid for apprehending and prosecuting to conviction the persons guilty thereof, - His Excellency also doth hereby promise his Majesty’s free pardon to any one of the persons concerned in the said Robbery and Murder, (except the person or persons who actually committed the same) who shall within six months from the date hereof, first discover his accomplices, so as they or any of them be apprehended and convicted thereof.
By his Excellency’s Command,
A. Marsden.
Note: It seems probable that neither Patrick Tobin or Owen Connolly (also spelled Connelly) were ever apprehended for their crimes as a search of the Freeman’s Journal in succeeding years reveals no more references to the robbers or the victim.