You And The Cow Shall

‘You And The Cow Shall Not Pass’, Says Mick, Stripped

On Monday, 30th. June, 1834, the Court of Quarter Session at Boyle heard a case of riot and assault against Michael Fox, Michael Burke, James Corcoran and James Brennan.

The indictment named them for riotously assembling at Boyle Fair and assaulting Michael Finneran and Michael McManus.

Roscommon & Leitrim Gazette

According to the Roscommon & Leitrim Gazette, Finneran and McManus were employed to stand at the custom gap on the day of the fair and take toll moneys for beast and other items which were on sale on the fair-green. A dispute had occurred between Finneran, McManus and the defendants about the payment of a toll for a cow which the defendants were taking from the fair. It appeared the cow had passed out of the gap the first time and a penny had been paid for the toll. But the cow had been brought back to the green later in the day and, as it was being taken out for the second time, the dispute about payment ensued.

McManus Stripped

Finneran gave evidence that McManus was stripped and was going to box with a man named Ganly a short time before the incident. He recalled the mother of Fox complain that she had been struck by McManus. McManus was then struck by Fox and Burke and struck on the head with a stick by Corcoran.

McManus Testifies

On oath McManus gave similar evidence as Finneran. He and Finneran had insisted on full custom for the cow - legally due - which caused the dispute between the parties. Ganly had challenged him first. He said that Mrs. Fox had come up to him and had took hold of him by the breast, as a result of which he gave her a push and a kick. He was severely cut. Cross-examined, he said that if a man struck his own mother he would knock him down.

Mrs. Fox, on oath, said that when she saw McManus stripped she went up to him and told him to go home and not raise a quarrel at the custom gap. She laid her hand on him to pacify him and he struck her. Her son, who was with her, on seeing this struck him a box, and Burke, a cousin of hers, also struck McManus.

Corcoran Testifies

The Magistrates, after considering all the evidence, dismissed the case against all but Corcoran, who was imprisoned for three months.