The Assassination Of Thomas Heany's Murders In Ireland

There was a fellow by the name of Thomas Heany from near Fethard, County Tipperary who disembarked ship at Waterford in January 1786 after being absent from the country for over ten years. On being recognised he was immediately arrested by Sir Henry Alcock on 4 January and incarcerated in the City Jail where he languished until May of that year. According to contemporary reports since leaving Ireland he had led an adventurous life. During the war he was taken prisoner by the French. Upon his release and return to England, he was press ganged onto a ship of war. After several changes of situation he was captured by the Spanish and imprisoned for some time. Soon after his second release he was shipwrecked narrowly escaping with his life.

Eventually Heany was transmitted to Dublin where he stood trial for taking part in the murder of Ambrose Power, in County Tipperary in 1785. Ambrose Power of Barrettstown, Fethard, Tipperary was Justice of the Peace for the county. He was the eldest son of John Power of Barrettstown and Elizabeth, daughter of Rev. John …show more content…
Mr. Baron Scott and the Hon. Mr. Justice Henn, they were found guilty and sentence of death being immediately pronounced against them, they were immediately taken from the dock and hanged by torch light in the main street near the court house and after hanging for a few moments, were cut down, whilst life still remained; after which they were quartered and beheaded. Maurice Hayes escaped from Clonmel Jail dressed in his wife’s clothes on 7 January 1776 and took ship to St John’s Newfoundland where he was captured and returned in irons to Waterford to stand trial. A fourth man John Cradock alias Captain Slasher was tried in Dublin, convicted in aiding of the murder and sentenced to be hanged, drawn and quartered at St. Steven’s Green on 7 February