3rd May 1817.

Timothy Maher of Castlemore, Carlow declares before William Fishbourne that John Clowery came to him and asked him for a Gun or Pistol, sometime in February last, as he wanted to rob the Rev. Mr. Cummins (his Uncle ) of Clonegal. Timothy replied and said he had no arms and also advised him against robbing the Priest. Clowry told him that there was another Man from Straboe, Carlow to go with him to commit the Robbery.

In about two weeks after this conversation Clowery called to Timothy Maher again and told him he could not get at the money as his Uncle's Housekeeper watched him so close that he could not effect his purpose. He had now changed his mind as to him and said he would now Rob the Rev. Mr. Conran's house, (Parish Priest of Ballon), he having more money and a man near his place had set his house for Clowry and that he the aforesaid John Clowry was determined either to have his Life or his Money.

Sworn before me this 3rd May 1817 at Carlow .

(signed) Timothy Maher

(signed) William Fishbourne.

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14th July 1817.

The confession of William Townshend now a prisoner in the Gaol of Carlow,

Saith that on his return from the Assizes of Carlow on the evening of the 29th March last, he met Patrick Donahoe of Tullow, who had been discharged from Carlow Gaol that day going on the road. Said Donahoe applyed to William Townshend to know would he meet him on Sunday night to which he replyed he would, and on Sunday night said Donahoe called on Townshend, and asked him to join him to commit a Robbery on Mr. Bunbury in this county who had a quantity of money and that more help of Men with plenty of Fire arms were to join them. On Thursday he called ....?.... that the help were not coming in, and that he would wait no longer, and that they would go rob another House belonging to an Old Priest that had plenty of money belonging to the Farmers.

That on same time Patrick Donahoe desired him to meet himself and John Dalton on the river side that night outside the Town of Tullow, that on Townshend going to the place appointed he met there John Dalton, and Patrick Donohoe soon joined them , they showed what arms they had, Donahoe produced a long Butchers knife with a penny cord, and Dalton produced a large flesh fork with another cord, on Donahoe making an observation that they were bad arms to commit a Robbery, Dalton made answer that he would Rob the house without any Arms. That then they proceeded towards the house mostly keeping to the fields, until they came to the Rev. Mr. Conran's house near Ballon in this County, after coming to the house they passed it by and went into the Haggard where they remained until the Rev. Mr. Conran came home and after remaining some time they went to the door and rapped at the door which being opened they all rushed in , when said Donahoe threw a Coat over the Boys head in the Kitchen of said House and desired Townshend to tye said boy with one of the cords, which he did, then followed Dalton into the Priest's room, who gave him the Fork to guard the Priest in the bed while Dalton should rob the desk, while Dalton was robbing the desk some money fell from him on the floor, and a struggle took place between the Priest, Dalton and Townshend on which Donahoe ran away and they extricated themselves from the Priest and made off towards Tullow.

Taken before me this 14th day of July 1817.

		His
(signed)	William	X	Townshend
		Mark

(signed) Townshend Fishbourne

First being truly read