Hi Kim
Sorry I thought your message was an old one 2016. What ever information I can help with I would only to glad to share. Here is an account of his crime.
The attempted murder of Philip Reade, Mountshannon, March 17th, 1824
James & Ellen lived on five acres of rented land in Cappabane. In the adjoining townland of Shean lived Anthony Boland who had fourteen acres of rented land. In the townland of Fossabeg lived Daniel Dinan who rented a few acres in common with nine others. Across the river Bow in the townland of Magherareagh lived Patrick Durack and his wife Judith Bleach. This man was an uncle of Michael Durack ancestor of the Duracks of "Kings in Grass Castles " fame. For some unexplained reason he was never mentioned in Dame Mary Durack's best seller, first published in 1959.
In the townland of Sellernane , Mountshannon lived Patrick O'Dea and his wife. His subsequent actions were to change the lives of the above forever.Philip Reade, of Woodpark, owned half the parish of Mountshannon and was also a successful barrister. He had a magnificent country house with landscaped gardens overlooking Holy Island and Lough Derg. He was by all accounts a benevolent landlord, particularly in later years during the Great Hunger.
On St Patrick's night 1824, Brogan, Durack, Dinan, Boland, O'Dea and one Patrick Tuohy, for some unexplained reason broke into Philip Reade's house with the sole intention of murdering him. They shot him in the chest and shoulder and presumed he was dead. For months Philip Reade lay dangerously ill while the best surgeons in the country attended him.
The military and yeomanry scoured the countryside for his attackers and offered fifty pounds for information. No one in this part of the country was more despised than the informer and no one more deserving of the curse "may the hearthstone of hell be your bed forever." For two years the search continued until finally one of the party Patrick O'Dea informed the authorities.
There was a lot of interest in the trial but still no motive was given or at least reported. Patrick O'Dea stated that it was James Brogan who set it up and to divert suspicion they pretended to quarrel in the ensuing weeks. O'Dea was to accuse Brogan of having an affair with his wife, and this would prevent the neighbours from having any suspicions. No witness was called for the defence and after about twenty minutes the jury returned with a guilty verdict. The judge with spine chilling solemnity then said "You James Brogan, Patrick Durack, Anthony Boland, and Patrick Tuohy are to be taken from hence, to the place from whence you came and from thence to the place of execution and there you are to hang by the necks until you are dead - and may God almighty have mercy on your souls"
A few days before the intended execution they were all reprieved. No reason was given and they were sent as convicts to New South Wales. On Tuesday May 28th 1827 under strong escort they passed through Ennis on their way to the hulk "Surprise", lying at anchor at the cove of Cork.
Source Robert Mote Home page
http://www.ozigen.com/tree/p167.htm#i12025.
Ireland, Tithe Applotment Books, 1823-1837
1825
Name: James Brogan
County: Clare
Parish: Tomgraney
Townland:Cappybane Mountain Farm
There were also other Brogans in the same area brothers I think.
Brogan Stephen Cappabane Mountain Farm
Brogan Michl Cappabane Mountain Farm
Brogan James Cappabane Mountain Farm
Brogan, Jr Michl Cappabane Mountain Farm
Brogan? Michl Cappabane Mountain Farm
Passage form book "Letters from Irish Australia" by Professor Patrick O’Farrell.
"Other convicts- perhaps less sure of their persuasive powers, or less literate, or with more accommodating masters - got help from their employers. Robert Futter of Lumley in the County of Argyle, Goulburn wrote on 10 November, 1834 on behalf of his servant James Brogan. He told Mrs Brogan…I consider that when you are (with your family) fortunate enough to reach this country you have every reason to expect that he will be able ( with the exertion of yourself and family) to maintain you respectably. Every person in this Colony who is honest, sober and industrious cannot fail to do well.
Futter also told Mrs Brogan that her husband had all the relevant permissions and instructed her in the formalities to be follow, He left the last page for Brogan himself to reply to a letter his wife had sent; There is nothing in this world grieved me but the delay of you and family my son Thomas cant come in the same ship with you for being of age and the best thing that can do is to go to the Captain of the ship and enter with him as a working hand if he dont engage with the Captain he is sure to come in the next meal ship that leaves Ireland.
Brogan, had been literate but neither fluent of grammatical, Brogan had been transported in 1829. He had six children. His 35yr wife Ellen, together with 3 daughters and 1 son (the other 2 sons aged 20 and 18 left on a later ship) left Cork to join him on 22 October 1835 on the Roslin Castle"
Regards
Joy
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