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© F.Coakley , 2022
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Date
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Brief Description
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| AP_X44_1 |
1.11.1823
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High Bailiff of Peel to Duke. reporting that on the night of the 17th October 1823 W. McChain and others were arrested for causing a disturbance in the streets of Peel. After spending the night in the prison at Peel they were sent to Castle Rushen. There were a number of Irishmen in the town and as it wee feared they might attempt to rescue the prisoners a guard of 36 men was mounted on the prison. These men were paid 1/6 each. |
| AP_X44_2 |
22.11.1823
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Evidence taken at an Enquiry before Deemster Christian at Peel and at Castletown on 25th Nov. [Death of W. McChain] |
| AP_X44_3 |
6.12.1823
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Deemster Christian to Duke reports on the above evidences that - The riot at Peel was caused by a Manxman named Chas.Cain (Charley Ballanaigh) provoking an Irishman in a Public House and later assaulting two others in the street. None of these had given him any provocation and were behaving quite peacefully. Later fighting took place between Irishmen and Manxmen which resulted in a riot. A special constable named John Greaves tried to obtain order,but was assaulted by one of the Irish, Another Irishman however, named McChain came to the assistance of Greaves. The High Bailiff then arrived and with the aid of the police and (7?) special constables arrested a number of the Irishmen including McChain. They were confined for the night in the prison at Peel,in a room said to be filthy from having been used to pickle herrings in (though this was denied by some witnesses). In the morning,after a brief examination,they were pinioned, placed in a cart and sent to Castletown. McChain, though obviously ill,was put with the others into a cell in an extremely filthy condition. Here they received no attention for several days and though a doctor was called to McChain he arrived drunk. As a result of exporsure and lack of attention McCain died. |
| AP_X44_4 |
8.12.1823
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Deemster Christian to Duke reporting that as the Duke was not satisfied with the evidence as to the filthy state of the prison at Castle Rushen he had taken further evidence regarding it. This He finds “compelled him to declare my full belief of the wretched state of the room,and of the disgraceful treatment experienced by the unfortunate prisoner,from his admittance until he died." |
| AP_X44_5 |
22.12.1823
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Evidence taken at an enquiry held before the Duke R. Kelly,High Bailiff and visiting Magistrate. Does not know the condition of the room (Cell 2) before prisoners were put in it. Normally it is a good room A prisoner for debt who declared otherwise is not a reliable person. Prisoners were liberated by an order from the Duke on receipt of a petition from them. No inquest was held on McChain as there were no marks of violence on him and, so far as witness knows, he made no complaint of any. His body was taken away by friends. Wm. Craig Turnkey Room was clean. McChain asked for a doctor on Sunday morning, but he did not come until the next day. Several people have died in prison but no inquests have ever been held on them. A coffin was provided out of the Fines rund and preparations made for burial in Malew churchyard. The other prisoners were released on Wednesday in good health and expressed thanks for their good treatment. McChain declared he had neither struck,nor been struck by anyone during the riot. Dr.R. Jones,surgeon. says he was called to McChain on Monday and visited him three times that day. That he had lockjaw and was insensible. Tried to bleed him,but could not do so, so applied a blister between his shoulders...Considered his case hopeless from the first. John Fitzsimmons,gaoler. Room was clean when McChain and two other prisoners were put in it,and had three beds,two of them with bedding. That Dr.Jones had warned him to take care that McChain was not shamming, as some of the rest were. |
| AP_X44_6 |
9.1.1824
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Dr. Oswald states it as his opinion,from what he, had heard, that McChain's death was due to him having been intoxicated at the time of the riot and also very excited, Being afterwards exposed throughout a damp night without a coat or waistecoat had affected his brain and caused his death. |
| AP_X44_7 |
-.1.1824
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Statement,signed by the Duke,to the effect that after a full inquiry he found that McChain's death was due to a fever following on intoxication and exposure. |
| AP_X44_8 |
8.1.1824
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Order by the Duke that if any prisoner die in gaol a Coroner's Inquest shall be held on the body. |
| AP_X44_9 | Report by James Quirk ( Att.-Gen. ? N.M.) to Duke. (This gives the clearest statement of the whole matter. N.M. ) |
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Any comments, errors or omissions
gratefully received The
Editor |
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