Counterfeiting in the 19th C

The 19th C began as the 18th C had finished – with people being hanged for ‘coining’ (making counterfeit coins) and ‘uttering’ (trying to spend them), with the exception that women were no longer ‘burned at the stake’ for high treason – they were now hanged along with the men. Below is a list of people hanged for high treason (coining) in England during the first quarter of the 19th C.

A slight change came about between 1804 -1813 when prisoners convicted of a ‘first time’ felony (other than murder, treason, forgery and arson) frequently had their death sentences commuted to transportation and this practice carried on until 1867 by which time no one was hanged for a crime other than murder. Uttering was the crime of passing forgeries – e.g. forged coins, bank notes or cheques.

• The minimum time of transportation was two years, however,
  • Criminals could also be sentenced to 5, 7, 10, 14, 20 or 21 years or for life
  • Only about 5% of those sentenced to transportation actually ever returned to Britain or Ireland
    • Transportation was formally abolished in 1887
• 1832. The Punishment of Death, etc. Act 1832 reduced the number of capital crimes to around 60.
• 1832-1837. Sir Robert Peel’s government introduced various Bills to reduce the number of capital crimes
  • Forgery and coining were removed from the list in 1836.

The Capital Punishment (Ireland) Act 1842 brought the law in Ireland closer to that of England by reducing the penalty for numerous offences, and abolishing the capital crime of  ‘serving in the French Armed Forces‘.

An artist’s impression of the death of Theobald Wolfe Tone on 19th November 1798. He is famously depicted in a French adjutant-general’s uniform on his death bed. He was captured after the (naval) Battle of Tory Island, Co Donegal and was recognised by his captors, brought to Dublin in chains, tried and convicted of High Treason, and sentenced to death by hanging. After being refused ‘a soldier’s death’ (by firing squad), it is alleged he took his own life.

The Offences Against the Person Act 1861 reduced the number of capital crimes from over two hundred offences to just three – Murder, Treason and Piracy with violence. Transportation to Australia became the prescribed sentence for most of the others.

• The last public hanging in Ireland was in 1868
• After the Capital Punishment Amendment Act 1868 executions were confined to behind prison walls (and no longer a public spectacle)
• Irish doctor Samuel Haughton developed the humane Standard-drop Hanging method of hanging
  • This came into use in 1866.
  • The last peacetime execution in Ireland was of William Scanlan in 1911 for murdering his sister-in-law.

Counterfeit money was a huge problem back then and the British administration in individual American colonies responded by printing “Death to Counterfeiters” or similar messages on their banknotes.

“To counterfeit is Death” New Jersey; “Tis DEATH to Counterfeiters” Maryland; and “To counterfeit is Death” Pennsylvania.

In 19th C Ireland, each bank branch signed individual banknotes and took note of the details in a manuscript ledger, which was consulted when notes were presented for exchange into silver or gold coin. When a counterfeit note was presented, the person who presented it was arrested and the bank cancelled the note. As the century progressed and the banks opened more branches, opportunities for fraud increased as there were no centralised computer systems back then, or telephones / telegraph or other means of instant communication. The postal system wasn’t very efficient until after the reforms of Sir Rowland Hill, so the bigger banks were targeted most often.

Bank of Ireland, One Pound note, dated 5 November 1821, contemporary forgery, stamped “FORGERY” twice on front.

Punishing Coin Counterfeiters in 19th C Ireland

Punishment in Ireland followed the same trends and, since it was a capital offence, the judges showed little mercy in their sentencing and very few intercessions from character witnesses seem to have led to any leniency. It is interesting to note that, in many instances, the penalty for ‘uttering’ (trying to spend the fake money) is more severe than the penalty for ‘coining’ (counterfeiting coins or paper money).

Several convicts were sentenced to imprisonment before transportation and some even died in prison before their transportation could be arranged. Not all of them were old, so the prison conditions may have played a part in their death. Some people, who were arrested for a relatively minor offence, could be brought before magistrates on the much more serious charge of “Having possession of forged banknote” and find themselves in prison and later transported.

Note: Chronological list, by year (and within year, by date of conviction)

• 1794
  • DEAN, FRANCIS
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Cork
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of counterfeit money
    • Sentenced to: Death, commuted to transportation for life
• 1800
  • HOARE, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Limerick City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged bank note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict is a native of Ballingarry, Co.Limerick
• 1806
  • FRITH, WILLIAM
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Death, respited
    • Convict has a wife and three children. Character refs. from a chaplain.
• 1808
  • FRAYNE, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Green Street, Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Death
    • Convict has a wife and family (no details given). States he is a tailor by trade and resides at No. 42, Marlborough Street, Dublin.
• 1812
  • QUILLAN, TERENCE
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: ? unknown location
      
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged bank note
    • Sentenced to: Death
    • Letter from the Judge before whom the convict was tried, recommending that the convict be pardoned on condition of Transportation for 7 years or Military Service.
• 1812
  • ROGERS, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Omagh, Co. Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged bank note
    • Sentenced to: Death
    • Alias: John Mc Crory
• 1813
  • MC DANIEL, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict has a wife and children and resides in Co.Dublin. States he had lived in Monaghan town before moving to Dublin to follow his trade as an Architect and Carpenter.States he built a road at his own expense in Monaghan.
• 1816
  • BREEN, JAMES
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Forgery (notes)
    • Memorandum states that the convict has been a public nuisance and an active agent in circulating forged notes for a long time.
• 1817
  • TOLER, THOMAS DANIEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Green Street, Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Making and Possessing counterfeit tokens
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict has 3 daughters (eldest 12) wife deceased. States he served for several years in the Army (encounters listed) as a Quarter Master and returned to Ireland and settled in Drogheda, Co Louth where he started a cotton business. Included is a letter from the Judge whom the convict was tried recommending the convict.
  • MURPHY, PATRICK
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Carlow
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation
    • Convict was born in Westmeath in the suburbs of Athlone. States he has worked as a Labourer since the death of his father 6 years ago, to support his mother. Character reference from Richard Longworth with which the convict was employed
• 1818
  • MC COY, ANNE
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict has been held back from Transportation for 2nd on account of her ill health.
• 1820
  • STAFFORD, CATHERINE
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Cork City
    • Found guilty of: Coining and counterfeiting bank notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict to be transported to Botany Bay. Mother of eight children, whose father is deceased
  • RYAN, MARY
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged £1 note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict is a widow with two daughters.
  • MADDOCK, PATRICK
    • Age: 34
    • Tried in: Co. Wexford
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation
    • Convict was travelling from Waterford to Wexford to see his wife and children when arrested.
• 1821
  • The Suspension Period Ends

  • The Suspension Period officially ended on 1st May 1821, although it took some time to come into effect. The main benefit of ‘paper money’ was that it gave certainty at a time when much of the copper coinage in circulation was counterfeit and much of the silver coinage was clipped (under-value).

  • In order for a ‘safe’ return to the gold standard, a new coinage was needed. The British Treasury responded with a new gold ‘one pound’ coin known as a sovereign to compliment the Great Recoinage of George III – started in 1816 and rolled out to all corners of the British Empire thereafter.

  • This sudden burst of silver coin production by the Royal Mint was not matched in Ireland and left the smaller, under-capitalised banks vulnerable to runs on their promissory notes. The 1820’s sees a gradual increase in convictions for coining and uttering, followed by a sudden surge in the 1830s
    

• 1822
  • CLARKE, MARY
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co Armagh
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • States she received the notes as change in Banbridge Market where she had been selling muslin. Has five children without a father.
  • BYRNE, DENIS
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Green St. Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation
    • Convict was a calico glazier by trade who resorted to selling vegetables and eggs when business became bad to support his wife and five children, the eldest 14 years old.
  • CANTY, TIMOTHY
    • Age: 45
    • Tried in: Cork City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation
• 1823
  • KEEFE, DENIS
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Tralee, Co. Kerry
    • Found guilty of: Conspiring to make Bank of Ireland 10 pence tokens
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years

    • 

      A Bank of Ireland ten pence token, similar to the ones Denis and Francis Keefe attempted to forge and pass on in Tralee, Co Kerry. Such was the shortage of silver coinage in Ireland at this time, the Bank of Ireland purchased bulk silver and paid the Royal Mint to produce 5 pence and 10 pence. In order to avoid the counterfeiting laws, the Bank of Ireland was careful not to issue tokens that imitated regal coinage, i.e. sixpence and shillings (12 pence).

  • KEEFE, FRANCIS
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Tralee, Co. Kerry
    • Found guilty of: Conspiring to make Bank of Ireland 10 pence tokens
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • JORDAN, TERENCE
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Downpatrick, Co. Down
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict has a wife and six children. Character reference from Roger Murphy with whom the convict had been employed for seven years.
• 1824
  • WOOLL, JAMES
    • Age: Unknown
    • Tried in: Cork
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Petitioning to be permitted to accompany his father in his banishment. Petitioner states he is the eldest of eight children and resides in Cloyne, Co Cork
  • PALMER, JOHN
    • Age: 70
    • Tried in: Limerick
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict has a wife and four children
  • CLEMENTS, ISAAC
    • Age: 70
    • Tried in: Longford
    • Found guilty of: Possessing utensils for coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict states that he has an aged wife and family and his eldest son was killed in Military action. Second petition received 11 May 1824
• 1825
  • FINN, CATHERINE
    • Age: 86
    • Tried in: Guild Hall, Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining counterfeit tokens
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • FLINN, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict was employed as a messenger in a stock exchange in College green, Dublin for 3 yrs. Father served in the Army. Petitioner resides at No. 11 Georges Quay, Dublin. Character ref. from employers. received in the yr 1826
  • DONAGHY, ROBERT
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Londonderry
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict is a linen Weaver by trade and has five children.
  • MC KEN, EDWARD
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Omagh, Co Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged £1 note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • MANSFIELD, JAMES
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • MC MAHON, JOHN
    • Age: 56
    • Tried in: Limerick
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged £5 note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
• 1826
  • Monetary Union with Britain

  • In 1826, the Irish pound was replaced by the pound sterling and later Irish banknotes were issued denominated in sterling. Thence forward, all transactions in Ireland were in sterling. The Act of Union (1800) was followed by a second (less well known) “union” followed in 1825 – a “customs and monetary” union – the Irish pound was thence tied to sterling and almost “free trade” conditions followed. If the act of 1800 was unpopular, the customs & monetary union was an economic disaster!

    • Unable to compete with a rapidly industrialising neighbour, many of Ireland’s proto-industries collapsed and the economy shifted to the export of food and primary commodities such as wool and leather.
    • There followed another surge in convictions for coining and unttering
• 1827
  • LEONARD, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Limerick
    • Found guilty of: Uttering two forged £1.10 (30 shilling) notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict was convicted with his father Thomas, for the same offense. Convict comes from a family of six.
  • LEONARD, THOMAS
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Limerick
    • Found guilty of: Uttering two forged £1.10 (30 shilling) notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict was convicted with his son John, for the same offense. Convict has a wife and six children.
  • REID, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Omagh, Co. Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Uttering bad notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict is a native of Clonfeile Parish, Co. Tyrone
  • CONNOR, PATRICK
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining counterfeit money
    • Sentenced to: Transportation
    • Convict has a wife, three children and an aged mother dependent on his support. States he resides Velvestown in the Parish of Buttevant, Co. Cork. Several character references from the inhabitants of Buttevant Parish. Petition received 9 July 1827.
  • RIORDAN, JEREMIAH
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining counterfeit money
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict has a family and resides in Bandon, Co. Cork. States his hovel was situated on the great road leading from Skibbereen to Bandon. Convict was employed as a labourer with the Honourable Capt. Bernard. Petition received 25 June 1827
• 1828
  • BURN, CATHERINE
    • Age: 17
    • Tried in: Green Street, Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged £1 note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Crime committed in Church Street, Dublin. Convict states she is an orphan.
• 1831
  • THOMPSON, PATRICK
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Carrickfergus, Co Antrim
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict has a wife and eight children.
  • CONNOR, MICHAEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Wexford Town
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • WOODLOCK, MICHAEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Having coining implements in his possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict was a Farmer with 56 acres of land in Shanballaduff, Co. Tipperary. Convict was transported to New South Wales in 1831. Convicts sentence was commuted to Transportation for 14 years.
• 1835
  • POWER, EDMOND
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Waterford City
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of a bond
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict was living in Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary where he had a spirit business before he was transported to New South Wales.
• 1836-37
  • Major Banking Crisis in Ireland:

  • In October 1836, the Bank of Ireland suddenly raised its rate by 25% in response to the publication of the Agricultural & Commercial’s ailing balance sheet.

    • The Agricultural & Commercial suspended payments in November 1836. The small investors who ‘bought into’ the success of the other Joint-Stock Banks lost all of their money

  • The Hibernian Bank then refused to pay drafts, notes and bills of the Belfast Bank and the Ulster Bank, causing a run on both banks’ notes

    • Despite them lodging deposits with Hibernian, their notes remained unpaid by Hibernian – an obvious attempt to use the Agricultural & Commercial crisis put them out of business
    • Both Belfast-based banks terminated their agency agreement with Hibernian
    • Both banks survived but the crisis caused a chronic shortage of cash for ‘every day’ trade & commerce, leading increases in coining and uttering in Ireland
• 1836
  • POWER, EDWARD
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Waterford City
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of a bond
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • WHITE, WILLIAM
    • Age: 20
    • Tried in: Co. Roscommon
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • FALLON, JOHN
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Co. Roscommon
    • Found guilty of: Uttering base coins
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Report of the Medical Attendant of Kilmainham gaol, Dublin. A description is given of the convict’s physical features.
  • MILLER, ROBERT
    • Age: 28
    • Tried in: Co Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • FRAYNE, EDWARD
    • Age: 37
    • Tried in: Dublin city
    • Found guilty of: Forgery promissory note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • LACEY, JAMES
    • Age: 22
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering base coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • DUNBAR, JAMES
    • Age: 20
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged drafts
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Alias: James McDowell
  • CARTY, RICHARD
    • Age: 28
    • Tried in: Co. Kilkenny
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of a bill of £25.00
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • MC TEAGUE, JOHN
    • Age: 27
    • Tried in: Co. Londonderry
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life, commuted 6 months imprisonment
  • O’DONNELL, MICHAEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Limerick City
    • Found guilty of: Possessing and attempting to utter a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • STEVANS, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Cavan
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict resides in Drumavaddy, Co Cavan
  • WALLACE, JOHN
    • Age: 41
    • Tried in: Co. Limerick
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict detained on board hulk “Surprize”, 18/05/1836
• 1837
  • L’ESTRANGE, RICHARD
    • Age: Age: 27
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged draft and felony
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict’s name struck through from Register
  • BYRNE, ELINOR
    • Age: 33
    • Tried in: Co. Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering base coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict transported with her two children.
  • GREENE, CHARLES
    • Age: 59
    • Tried in: Co. Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict detained at Kilmainham Gaol, Co. Dublin, 23/03/1837. Convict was convicted with his son, Thomas, for the same offence and for which the son was sentenced to twelve months imprisonment. Convict has ten children.
  • COOGAN, THOMAS
    • Age: 26
    • Tried in: Queen’s Co
    • Found guilty of: Passing a forged bank note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict detained at Kilmainham Gaol, Co. Dublin, 23/03/1837. Convict’s mother resides in Garrinteggart.
  • HARRIS, JOSEPH
    • Age: 28
    • Tried in: Co. Monaghan
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict was detained at Kilmainham Gaol, Co. Dublin, 23/03/1837
  • MC CABE, MARY
    • Age: 20
    • Tried in: Co Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • WALKER, ABRAHAM
    • Age: 54
    • Tried in: Dublin city
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of bill of exchange
    • Sentenced to: Transportation life
    • Convict is a Merchant in Dublin City and has a wife and seven daughters.
  • DELANY, JOHN (JNR)
    • Age: 20
    • Tried in: Queen’s Co
    • Found guilty of: Possession of coining mould & base coins
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years commuted to 1 year imprisonment
  • DELANY, JOHN (SNR)
    • Age: 24
    • Tried in: Queen’s Co
    • Found guilty of: Possession of coining mould & base coins
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • TOOEY, BRIDGET
    • Age: 34
    • Tried in: Co Carlow
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of bank notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict was detained at Grangegorman Gaol, Co Dublin, 10/01/1839
  • WALKER, WILLIAM
    • Age: 30
    • Tried in: Co. Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Uttering base coins
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict resides in Stranorlar, Co Donegal.
  • BROWNE, WILLIAM
    • Age: 19
    • Tried in: Co. Westmeath
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years, commuted to 7 years
    • Alias: William Delap
  • DIXON, SAMUEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Athy, Co. Kildare
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged 30 shilling note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict is a shoe maker by trade and resides in Francis St. Dublin, with his wife and children.
  • DIXON, SAMUEL
    • Age: 23
    • Tried in: Co. Kildare
    • Found guilty of: Offering and putting away forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • HURLEY, CORNELIUS
    • Age: 23
    • Tried in: Co. Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict ordered to Kilmainham Gaol. Convict resides in Co. Cork and is the sole support of his family.
  • MC CLURKAN, JAMES
    • Age: 19
    • Tried in: Co Antrim
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • DELAP, WILLIAM
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Westmeath
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years, commuted to 7 years
  • RYAN, MARGARET
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Athy, Co. Kildare
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged 30 shilling note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict was convicted with Samuel Dixon for the same offence.
• 1838
  • HALLIGAN, WILLIAM JOSEPH
    • Age: 32
    • Tried in: Co. Armagh
    • Found guilty of: Forged banknotes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • HAMMELL, EDWARD
    • Age: 25
    • Tried in: Co. Armagh
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • KELLY, PATRICK
    • Age: 18
    • Tried in: Drogheda, Co. Louth
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict is a dealer by trade and the sole support of his widowed mother and five children, family resides in Drogheda, Co Louth.
  • FALLON, JOHN
    • Age: 37
    • Tried in: Co. Roscommon
    • Found guilty of: Having coining tools
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • DONNELLY, BRIDGET
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Co. Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering base coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years, commuted to 7 years
  • HALLOWAY, PETER
    • Age: 25
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years, commuted to 7 years
    • Convict resides in Trim, Co. Meath and is a Labourer by trade. States he has one child and a mother dependent on his support
  • LEONARD, JAMES
    • Age: 15
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • LYNCH, PATRICK
    • Age: 50
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • LYNCH, PATRICK
    • Age: 50
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict resides in Co. Meath with his wife and five children.
  • MC ENROE, THOMAS
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Co Cavan
    • Found guilty of: Having possession of forged banknote
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • COUGHLIN, MARGARET
    • Age: 22
    • Tried in: Co. Kildare
    • Found guilty of: Possessing forged Bank of Ireland note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years, commuted to 2 years imprisonment
  • MORAN, JOHN
    • Age: 58
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict is a Builder and resides in Dublin City.
  • CORBY, JOHN
    • Age: 334
    • Tried in: Co. Westmeath
    • Found guilty of: Possessing a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • O’LOUGHLAN, PATRICK
    • Age: 33
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Having forged banknote in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • DIXON, MARY
    • Alias: Mary Morrisey
    • Age: 27
    • Tried in: Queen’s Co.
    • Found guilty of: Passing a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
    • Convict had previous to her conviction, been admitted to the Richmond District Lunatic Asylum in 1837
• 1839
  • CALLANAN, JOHN
    • Age: 25
    • Tried in: Co. Dublin
    • Found guilty of: Uttering base coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for 14 years
  • CONNORS, JAMES
    • Age: 45
    • Tried in: Co Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Possessing forged Bank of Ireland note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • CONNORS, MARY
    • Age: 46
    • Tried in: Co Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Possessing forged Bank of Ireland note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years, commuted to 6 months imprisonment
  • DUNLAP, JAMES
    • Age: 20
    • Tried in: Co. Cavan
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • DUNLOP, JAMES
    • Age: 20
    • Tried in: Co. Cavan
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • STEPHENS, WILLIAM
    • Age: 20
    • Tried in: Co. Cavan
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • DALTON, GARRETT
    • Age: 24
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged promissory note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life, commuted to 1 year imprisonment
  • TIPPING, JANE
    • Age: 38
    • Tried in: Co. Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Uttering counterfeit coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict is a native of Moy, Co Tyrone and is a widow with five children.
  • CURLEY, NICHOLAS
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co Galway
    • Found guilty of: Possessing coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict resides in Tubbemacduagh, near Kinvara, Co Galway
  • CURLY, NICHOLAS
    • Age: 35
    • Tried in: Co. Galway
    • Found guilty of: Possessing implements for coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
• 1840
  • DALTON, THOMAS
    • Age: 27
    • Tried in: Co. Longford
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • FOX, THOMAS
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Co. Longford
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • HEFFERMAN, RODY
    • Age: 16
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Making counterfeit coins
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • KENNEDY, EDWARD
    • Age: 50
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Making counterfeit coins
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • BROWNE, PAT
    • Age: 57
    • Tried in: Co Clare
    • Found guilty of: Having forged notes in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years, commuted to 3 years imprisonment
  • LONDIGAN, PATRICK
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Making instruments for coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • DALTON, GARRETT
    • Age: 24
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged promissory note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
  • KENNEALY, EDWARD
    • Age: 50
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Making counterfeit coins
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • DINAN, JAMES
    • Age: 54
    • Tried in: Co. Clare
    • Found guilty of: Altering £1.00 bank notes to £10.00 note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
• 1841
  • WILLIAMS, JAMES
    • Age: 26
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged drafts
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • HEFFERMAN, MARY
    • Age: 18
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Coining sixpences
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • GALLAGHER, DAVID
    • Age: 28
    • Tried in: Co. Limerick
    • Found guilty of: Coining base coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • WHELAN, MICHAEL
    • Age: 24
    • Tried in: Kilkenny City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged bill of exchange
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • COCHRAN, THOMAS
    • Age: 58
    • Tried in: Co. Armagh
    • Found guilty of: Possessing coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • FULTON, JOHNSTON
    • Age: 35
    • Tried in: Co. Armagh
    • Found guilty of: Having implements for coining in their possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • See also Hodgin, James
  • HODGIN, JAMES
    • Age: 44
    • Tried in: Co. Armagh
    • Found guilty of: Having implements for coining in their possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • See also Fulton, Johnston
• 1842
  • DUFF, JAMES
    • Age: 32
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged draft
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 15 years
  • DEEGAN, MICHAEL
    • Age: 42
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
• 1843
  • NEIL, THOMAS JNR
    • Age: 14
    • Tried in: Co. Waterford
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
    • Convict detained at Kilmainham Gaol, Co. Dublin, 25/04/1843
  • NEIL, THOMAS SNR
    • Age: 38
    • Tried in: Co. Waterford
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
    • Convict detained at Kilmainham Gaol, Co. Dublin, 25/04/1843
  • EGAN, THOMAS
    • Age: 38
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Possession of a die for coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 15 years
  • HAYES, JAMES
    • Age: 30
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Accessory to uttering a Provincial Bank of Ireland note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
    • Convict who lives in Drumbane, Co. Tipperary, has a wife and six children, who wish to be transported along with the convict.

    • 

      1843 Provincial Bank of Ireland (Parsonstown branch), One Pound note similar to the one forged by James Hayes, dated 1st December 1843. This note was torn in half (and later repaired by a collector), hand-stamped with a Post Office date stamp (Birr) and hand-stamped “CANCELLED DUBLIN” on the right side

  • HYDE, DENIS
    • Age: 28
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Accessory to uttering Bank of Ireland note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
    • Convict was convicted for being an accessory to uttering a Provincial Bank of Ireland note before the fact.
  • LAHEY, PATRICK
    • Age: 30
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Accessory to uttering Provincial Bank of Ireland note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • LEAHEY, MARY
    • Age: 28
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Uttering and altering promissory notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
    • Convict’s name struck through from Register
  • GORMAN, PATRICK
    • Age: 26
    • Tried in: Co. Carlow
    • Found guilty of: Uttering and having base coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years after 6 months imprisonment
  • MULLANY, JAMES
    • Age: 33
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged promissory note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict is employed in the purchase and selling of cattle. Convict has a wife and five children.
  • HANLY, MARY
    • Age: 60
    • Tried in: Cork City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • HENLEY, MARY
    • Age: 60
    • Tried in: Cork City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict is the mother of five children
• 1844
  • MULVEY, PETER
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of a Bill of exchange for £300 in Dublin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • FITZPATRICK, MARY
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • HOWE, GEORGE
    • Age: 23
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • BERGIN, JAMES
    • Age: 53
    • Tried in: Maryboro, Queens Co
    • Found guilty of: Possession of coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • BERGIN, WILLIAM
    • Age: 36
    • Tried in: Maryboro, Queens Co
    • Found guilty of: Possession of coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • BYRNE, JOHN
    • Age: 34
    • Tried in: ? unknown location
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • LENNON, RICHARD
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Forging a draft on the Bank of Ireland
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years – commuted 18 months imprisonment
  • COCHRAN, ALEXANDER
    • Age: 37
    • Tried in: Co. Londonderry
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • KING, PATRICK
    • Age: 37
    • Tried in: Limerick City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
• 1845
  • Beginning of the Great Irish Famine

    • The Great Famine or the Great Hunger, was a period of mass starvation and disease in Ireland from 1845 to 1849. During the famine, about one million people died and a million more emigrated from Ireland, causing the island’s population to fall by between 20% and 25%.

    • The proximate cause of the famine was a natural event, a potato blight, which infected potato crops throughout Europe during the 1840s, also causing some 100,000 deaths outside Ireland and influencing much of the unrest in the widespread European Revolutions of 1848.

      • From 1846, the impact of the blight was exacerbated by the Whig government’s economic policy of laissez-faire capitalism.

      • Longer-term causes include the system of absentee landlordism, and single-crop dependenc

  • WRIGHT, ELIZABETH
    • Age: 44
    • Tried in: Co. Londonderry
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • MAGRATH, JOHN
    • Age: 37
    • Tried in: Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • RUSSELL, WILLIAM
    • Age: 26
    • Tried in: Kilkenny City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • MC GRATH, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Youghal
    • Found guilty of: Possessing coining instruments
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for 7 years
• 1847
  • MURPHY, JOHN
    • Age: 36
    • Tried in: Co Kilkenny
    • Found guilty of: Having coining mistrusts in his possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • ATKINS, THOMAS
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of Bank of Ireland notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life

    • 

      1844 Bank of Ireland Thirty Shillings similar to the ones Thomas Atkins was convicted of counterfeiting. This is the ninth issue of Bank of Ireland notes and the highly ornate Hibernia & Medusa Heads made them more difficult to forge.

  • GALLAGHER, THOMAS
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of Bank Notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • GALWAY, JAMES
    • Age: 42
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • MAGRATH, PATRICK
    • Age: 25
    • Tried in: Co. Louth
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • MCGRATH, ELIZABETH
    • Age: 23
    • Tried in: Co. Louth
    • Found guilty of: Having coining implements in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years after 3 months imprisonment
  • MCGRATH, PATRICK
    • Age: 26
    • Tried in: Co. Louth
    • Found guilty of: Having coining tools
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years after 3 months imprisonment
    • Convict died at Spike Island Gaol, Co. Cork, 04/10/1847
• 1848
  • KEEGAN, LAURENCE
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Meath
    • Found guilty of: Possession of coining mould
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Alias: Patrick Maguire. Convict died at Spike Island Gaol, Co. Cork, 25/04/1854
  • MAGUIRE, PATRICK
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Meath
    • Found guilty of: Possession of coining mould
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • COFFEE, MICHAEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Convict ordered to be discharged, 29/04/1858
  • GILL, JOHN
    • Age: 55
    • Found guilty of: Tried in: Limerick City
    • Having coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • HANNAN, THOMAS
    • Age: 45
    • Tried in: Limerick City
    • Found guilty of: Having coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • KEARNS, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict detained at Richmond Gaol, Co. Dublin
  • POWER, PATRICK
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict detained at Richmond Gaol, Co. Dublin
  • HARPER, JOHN
    • Age: 28
    • Tried in: Co. Wexford
    • Found guilty of: Moulds for coining in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years – commuted to 2 years imprisonment
    • Petitioner’s residence given as Kilcoan, Co. Wexford
  • CUMMINS, EDMOND
    • Age: 34
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • COWAN, HUGH
    • Age: 30
    • Tried in: Co. Mayo
    • Found guilty of: Uttering base coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • HAYSE, ROBERT
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Co. Monaghan
    • Found guilty of: Counterfeit coin in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • KELLY, WILLIAM
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining and larceny
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict died at Spike Island Gaol, Co. Cork, 18/06/1853
• 1849
  • MURPHY, MICHAEL
    • Age: 21
    • Tried in: Co Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict died in Spike island prison 23 august 1851
  • KEOUGH, JUDITH
    • Age: 73
    • Tried in: Co. Clare
    • Found guilty of: Having and uttering false notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • BENTLEY, PAT
    • Age: 34
    • Tried in: Limerick City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • CURTIN, TIMOTHY
    • Age: 24
    • Tried in: Limerick City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • BENSLY, PATRICK
    • Age: 34
    • Tried in: Limerick City
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged noted
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • HUGHES, MICHAEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Down
    • Found guilty of: Possessing coining accoutrements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • KENNEDY, BRIDGET
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Queens Co
    • Found guilty of: Counterfeit coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • CULLINAN, EDMOND
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • LEONARD, MARGARET
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • KENNEDY, MICHAEL
    • Age: 45
    • Tried in: Queens Co
    • Found guilty of: Counterfeit coin
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • HART, JOHN
    • Age: 19
    • Tried in: Co. Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Making counterfeit coins
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • FLANEGAN, WILLIAM
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Roscommon
    • Found guilty of: Having implements for coining in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • HANIFIN, MICHAEL
    • Age: 29
    • Tried in: Co. Kerry
    • Found guilty of: Having coining instruments in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • BELL, WILLIAM
    • Age: 55
    • Tried in: Co. Fermanagh
    • Found guilty of: Possession of coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • CONNOR, FRANCIS
    • Age: 43
    • Tried in: Co. Down
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • FEELY, MICHAEL
    • Age: 40
    • Tried in: Co. Kilkenny
    • Found guilty of: Having possession instruments for coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict died in Spike Island Gaol, Co. Cork, 19/07/1853
  • FEILY, MICHAEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Kilkenny City
    • Found guilty of: Having coining implements in his possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • LYNAN, EDWARD
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Kilkenny City
    • Found guilty of: Having in possession instruments for coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • MAGRATH, JAMES
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Limerick City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life
    • Died in Spike Island prison 21 October 1863 of liver disease with rheumatism, old age and debility.
• 1850
  • CARTY, FLORENCE
    • Age: 20
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Having a mould for coining shillings
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • CARTY, THOMAS
    • Age: 30
    • Tried in: Co. Tipperary
    • Found guilty of: Having a mould for coining shillings
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • CAULFIELD, MICHAEL
    • Age: 49
    • Tried in: Co. Cavan
    • Found guilty of: Uttering false notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • LENNON, PATRICK
    • Age: 42
    • Tried in: Co. Cavan
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 14 years
  • WHELAN, PATRICK
    • Age: 35
    • Tried in: Co. Kilkenny
    • Found guilty of: Having base coin & moulds for coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict ordered to be discharged, 10/02/1855
  • QUILLIGAN, DENIS
    • Age: 32
    • Tried in: Co. Kerry
    • Found guilty of: Coining and having coining materials
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict ordered to be discharged, 08/12/1854
  • BURNS, JAMES
    • Age: 36
    • Tried in: Co. Armagh
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict ordered to be discharged, 08/12/1854
  • BURKE, SUSANNA
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: King’s Co
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of Bank of Ireland notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 15 years
  • FEARIS, JOHN
    • Age: 18
    • Tried in: Co. Sligo
    • Found guilty of: Uttering a forged cheque for £100
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • LOUGHRAN, JOSEPH
    • Age: 34
    • Tried in: Co. Louth
    • Found guilty of: Uttering counterfeit coin and former conviction
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict ordered to be discharged, 09/02/1855
• 1851
  • LOUGHRAN, JOSEPH
    • Age: 34
    • Tried in: Co. Louth
    • Found guilty of: Uttering counterfeit coin and former conviction
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict ordered to be discharged, 09/02/1855
  • CULLEN, PATRICK
    • Age: 39
    • Tried in: Co. Meath
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • FITZGERALD, MARTIN
    • Age: 21
    • Tried in: Co. Sligo
    • Found guilty of: Coining 3 counterfeit
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • RAFERTY, BRIDGET
    • Age: 27
    • Tried in: Kilkenny City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years after 3 months imprisonment
  • MURPHY, PATRICK
    • Age: 21
    • Tried in: Co. Kerry
    • Found guilty of: Coining and having coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict discharged 11/8/55
  • CARROLL, JOHN
    • Age: 46
    • Tried in: ? unknown location
    • Found guilty of: Having coining implements in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • CARROLL, JOHN
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Kilkenny
    • Found guilty of: Possession of coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • MAHER, MICHAEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Ordered to be discharged 11/10/1855.
  • DANIEL, GEORGE
    • Age: 18
    • Tried in: Dungannon, Waterford
    • Found guilty of: Having coining tools
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • CONNOLLY, MICHAEL
    • Age: 30
    • Tried in: Co. Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Forgery on Bank of Ireland
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict died in Spike Island Gaol, Co. Cork, 22/02/1854
  • HUGHES, JOHN
    • Age: 50
    • Tried in: Co. Tyrone
    • Found guilty of: Forgery on Bank of Ireland
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
• 1852
  • NEILL, JOHN
    • Age: 19
    • Tried in: Co. Kerry
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict ordered to be discharged, 05/02/1856
  • MANNIX, PATRICK
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
    • Name struck out.
  • MANNIX, THOMAS
    • Age: 19
    • Tried in: ? unknown location
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • CONNELL, PATRICK
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Cork
    • Found guilty of: Having coining implement in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • CONNORS, JAMES
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Co. Cork
    • Found guilty of: Uttering forged notes
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
  • SHERIDAN, PATRICK
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Limerick City
    • Found guilty of: Coining and obtaining money under false pretences
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Convict ordered to be discharged, 30/09/1856
• 1853
  • MC INERHNEY, JOHANNA
    • Age: 56
    • Tried in: Co Clare
    • Found guilty of: Having coining tools in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Discharge ordered 05/03/57
  • MEEHAN, MARY
    • Age: 26
    • Tried in: Clare
    • Found guilty of: Having coining tools in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Alias: Mary Michan. Discharge ordered 7/7/1857
  • MICHAN, MARY
    • Age: 26
    • Tried in: Co Clare
    • Found guilty of: Having coining tools in possession
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
    • Alias: Mary Meehan
  • BERGIN, JOHN
    • Age: 32
    • Tried in: Co. Kilkenny
    • Found guilty of: Possession of coining implements
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • HENNESSY, OWEN
    • Age: 44
    • Tried in: Co. Kilkenny
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years
  • MC DONOUGH, JAMES
    • Age: 55
    • Tried in: Kings Co
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 10 years
• 1855
  • NEILE, MICHAEL
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Dublin City
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 15 years
  • MURPHY, HONORA
    • Age: 23
    • Tried in: Co Limerick
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of a promissory note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for Life (on Petition)
  • O’BRIEN, JOHANNA
    • Age: 44
    • Tried in: Co. Limerick
    • Found guilty of: Forgery of a promissory note
    • Sentenced to: Transportation for life commuted P.S. 6 yrs,17/05/1861
    • Convict detained at Cork Depot, Co. Cork, 10/09/1855 and Mountjoy Gaol, Co. Dublin, 27/09/1858. See also Honora Murphy.
• 1857
  • MAHER, MARY
    • Age unknown
    • Tried in: Cork
    • Found guilty of: Coining
    • Sentenced to: Transportation 7 years

Further Reading:

Ireland-Australia transportation database

The National Archives of Ireland holds a wide range of records relating to the transportation of convicts from Ireland to Australia covering the period 1788 to 1868. In some cases these include records of members of convicts’ families transported as free settlers. To mark the Australian Bicentenary in 1988, the Taoiseach presented microfilms of the most important of these records to the Government and People of Australia as a gift from the Government and People of Ireland. Click here to search this database.

While the collection of convict petitions dates from the beginning of transportation from Ireland to Australia in 1791, all transportation registers compiled before 1836 were destroyed in the Four Courts fire of June 1922.

• Therefore, if the person you are researching was convicted before 1836, but was not the subject of a petition, he or she will not appear on this database.
• In other words, the records from which the transportation database was compiled such as the transportation registers, convict reference files and petitions to government for pardon or commutation of sentence, are incomplete.