Portumna - The Trial of Owen Glorer

Extract from County Galway Grand Jury Presentments - The Assizes, August, 1831.

Owen Glorer was indicted for appearing armed by day, with others, on the 20th July last.

James Clarke - lives at Addigan, near Portumna; saw prisoner on 20th July - (would know him in a blanket) - witness was weeding parsnips in his garden in the forenoon; prisoner and another man came into the garden; prisoner had an umbrella under his arm; asked witness what men he had working; answered none; his man had retired from work in consequence of a notice served on the Chapel; prisoner pulled out a pistol and said - "you must raise wages to a shilling per day, or 10d. with diet; that he should follow the laws of the country, according to Terry's rules;" witness said he could not afford it; prisoner said he should, and that he should send a message to the same effect to his father and the Rev. Mr. Armstrong, and if Mr. A. would not submit that he (prisoner) would meet him either in Gig or Carriage; prisoner was spokesman; the other was apart, behind the other, armed also with a pistol; the country is very disturbed; identifies the prisoner; saw him after at Captain Singleton's in company with several others; would know him among a thousand; the men remained half an hour; James Cafinane was drawing stones in a field opposite his door, to Lord Clanricarde's deerpark, to build a wall; the men were not disguised; witness was very civil because prisoner had a pistol levelled at his breast.

Mrs. Clarke corroborated the statement but did not hear the conversation.

William Coffey Esq., C.C.P. saw Clarke three weeks ago in Mr. Lynch's yard at Portumna, who stated the occurrence, swearing informations and giving descriptions; arrested prisoner subsequently, was not present when Clarke identified prisoner.

Captain Singleton, Chief Magistrate, was present when Clark was brought to identify; placed six men together; Clarke was at a back window, and pointed out prisoner among the six; he sent for Clarke without informing him that the man named in his information was in custody.

For the defence, James Cullinane deposed that he was drawing stones to Lord Clanricarde's deerpark on 20th July; was throwing a load when he saw two strangers go into Clarke's garden, did not know them; prisoner was not among them; Clarke was nearer to prisoner and had a better opportunity of seeing them; their faces were not turned towards witness; saw an umbrella and pistol with them.

Thomas Hynes and Pat Laundry were produced to prove an alibi, that they were cutting turf with prisoner on the day mentioned.

The Rev. Mr. Curtin gave an excellent character of prisoner; heard of bullets and swan drops found in his house.

The jury brought in a verdict of guilty. He was sentenced to be imprisoned for 12 months.