"Not Guilty" Verdict 115 years ago:-

In response to a number of requests this week we publish a shortened version of the article "Tragedy at Killaghy" to be found in a past edition of the "Mullinahone Magazine" and also in Michael Larkins history "Mullinahone - Its Heritage and History". Because of the sensitivity of the subject matter it was a story never told in the folklore of the parish. The facts of the case are briefly:- Circa 1870 the Despard FAmily of Killaghy Castle and Estate had gone broke and sold the castle and estate to the "Landlord District Court". The estate and castle was acquired by a Fr John Naughton a priest in Co. Kerry. He died in 1882 and his interests in the estate passed to his grand nephews Denis Dillon and Thomas R. Naughton. Naughton was already in residence but Dillon and his family had to come up from Co. Kerry which they did in January 1885. Before they came the house at Killaghy was partitioned into two including the main hall way and stairs between the two families. In February 1888 Denis Dillon who was fond of the drop died at the age of 44 and was buried in Mullinahone Church yard near St Michaels Church. Some fifteen months later one of the Dillons workmen Martin Byrne of Killaghy Street was sacked for insulting one of the girls. Byrne started a rumour that Dillon had died as a result of a blow to the head from his son Pat Dillon. Byrne was charged with perjury and lodged in Clonmel Gaol but persisted with his claim. The body of Denis Dillon was exhumed in Mullinahone Churchyard in September 1889. In the post mortem it was found to have an injury consistent with Byrnes story. Byrne was released and 20 year old Patrick Dillon was charged with the murder of his father. His sister and mother were charged with complicity. The trial took place in Clonmel in March 1890 (115 years ago this week). The chief witness for the prosecution were Martin Byrne and his son John Byrne whose evidence sometimes disagreed. For the defence Fr Philip Ryan P.P. Mullinahone, Dr Moloney, Mullinahone and the police gave evidence. The lid of the coffin had been broken and this may have caused the mark on Denis Dillons head. The judge instructed the jury to find Patrick Dillon not guilty. Even though the court was crowded at the time and was widely reported in the local and newspapers there is no recollection of the case in local Mullinahone lore. The Dillons were to leave Killaghy soon after. They were missing from there in 1893. On April 1st Bess Dillon (the wife) and her 16 year old daughter resettled in New York. Most of the family would follow. All got on well in the USA. Denis Dillon lies in an unmarked grave in Mullinahone Churchyard. Back in the 1990's a descendant of the Dillons returned from the USA to compete in the Rose of Tralee. In 2004 a great granddaughter of the Dillons returned to Mullinahone bringing us much of the Dillons history and posting the Irish Times court case on the Mullinahone-parish website. What happened in the kitchen of Killaghy Castle on the evening of February 13th 1888 will probably never be known. The Kerry connection with Killaghy as to persist. After the departure of the Dillons the legendary Maggie Wadpole from Sneem in Co. Kerry arrived in Killaghy. She too had a chequered life and career. Killaghy Castle was always a good place for a story even from the days of the Tobins the Lords of Killaghy.

St Patricks Day:-

Masses in St Michaels Church on St Patricks Day Thursday March 17th will be at 9.30am, 11.30am and 8pm. The 11.30am mass will be as Gaeilge and will be the memorial mass for deceased members of the local CJ Kickhams GAA Club.

Penitential Service:-

To start Holy week in the true spirit of Lent and in preparation for Easter parishioners are invited to attend a Penitential Service in St Michaels Church on Sunday evening next March 20th starting at 7pm.

Credit Union:

Mullinahone Credit Union will not be open this Thursday night March 17th because of St Patricks Day holiday. The credit union will however be open on both Thursday (Holy Thursday) and Friday (Good Friday) nights the following week from 7.30pm to 9pm.

Ladies Football:-

We are informed by Grainne O'Meara that the AGM of the Local Ladies Football club will take place on the coming Friday night in the GAA Pavilion. The meeting begins at 8.30pm. Training for the U12's and U16's at 11am on Saturday.

Poulacapple N.S.:-

Poulacapple N.S. are now enrolling new pupils for September 2005. Parents are welcome to call in to the school. While present they may view the school, meet the teachers and collect their enrolment pack.

Golf and More Golf:-

The local golf society had an outing to Thurles Golf Club on Saturday last March 12th. The 2nd annual Jack Brett Golf Classic has been arranged for Saturday week March 26th. This year the venue will be Slievenamon. Tee off times are 10am to 1pm. The event will be in the form of a two ball scramble. To book tee off times or for further information please call the Castle View at 052-53385. Could Irelands next Pardraig Harrington appear on the scene at this event.

Table Quiz:-

A table quiz will take place in Nonies of Ninemilehouse on this Friday night March 18th. The purpose of the quiz to raise funds for the upkeep of the Carrigmoclear 1798 memorial and the route leading up to it. First question is at 9.45pm and local s are promised an enjoyable night. Support from the local parishes would be appreciated for this worthy cause. We are all proud of how well this local tourist spot looks during the summer. Help to keep it that way.

Daffodil Quiz:-

A fund raising table quiz took place in aid of the Hospice Movement in the Castle View Lounge on Thursday night last. Winners at the end of the evening on 47 points were a well chosen quartet of Michael Egan, Martina Griffin, John O'Grady and Margaret Kelly. In a play off they just edged out Tommy O'Sullivan, Albert Curran, Deirdre O'Halloran and Paul O'Halloran. The organisers would like to thank all those who helped out and also all those who took part. Once again the standard of answering was high and little or nothing separated many of the competing quads. Perhaps a number of those teams which finished close to each other or even level with renew the rivalry on Friday night next in Ninemilehouse.

PTAA Munster Final:-

Mullinahone PTAA will be represented at the Munster Quiz Finals in Middleton Co. Cork on Sunday afternoon next. However the centre will not be taking part but a member of the local centre Ricky Sheehan will be question master in the Munster PTAA Intermediate (Under 25) final. Ricky has been a quizmaster for the PTAA for over 25 years and has officiated at dioceran provincial and All Ireland level at all levels of the competition.

Local Lotto:-

The local lotto jackpot was not won on Monday March 7th. The winning numbers were 14, 20, 23 and 24. There was only one match 3 winner. We congratulate Brigid Duggan of Carrick Street on winning EU150. The next draw will be on Monday March 21st and the jackpot could be EU2650. As always if you are not in then you will not win. That special Easter Egg in the shape of the jackpot is beginning to look more and more attractive.

Chiropodist:-

Our visiting chiropodist will be in the Knocknagow Centre Mullinahone on Monday morning next March 21st from 10am onwards. Please inform your friends.

Weather:-

As we go to press the recent harsh cold dry spell seems to be ending and is being replaced by a warmer more moist spell. The relatively dry spell began on February 13th. Since then less than 10mm of rain has fallen in a month but cold winds have kept the temperature down and slower growth which in a number of places didn't seem to stop at all during the winter.

Get Well Soon:-

Get well soon wishes are extended to Tess McNamara of Mullinoly who is recovering in the assessment unit, Cashel from her recent illness. We look forward Tess to your speedy recovery and hope to see you out and about soon again when the weather is better.