MANCHESTER MARTYRS PRISON RECORDS

ON THE 26th November 2007, I made the most significant find amongst this collection, probably the most significant find of my life. This was to do with one of the most controversial events and court cases in Manchester's history. I came upon the New Bailey Prison records of the 28 men who were tried for the murder of Charles Brett.

The incident that led up to the trial was the arrest of two Irish Republican Brotherhood leaders, Colonel Thomas Kelly and Captain Timothy Deasey, for vagrancy on September 11th 1867. They gave their names as White (Wright in some publications) and Williams, but subsequently their real identities were revealed. On September 18th 1867 they were being transferred from the Police Court to the City Gaol at Hyde Road in a prison van. The van was attacked in Hyde Rd, West Gorton by a large mob of men with guns, sticks stones and various other weapons. After a struggle which lasted between 15 and 20 minutes Kelly and Deasey were freed from the van and escaped the authorities. In carrying out this attack on the prison van, three people were shot, one of them fatally, Police Sergeant Charles Brett.

As a result of much activity by the police and the militia many people were arrested to make an appearance before the Magistrates. Newspapers of the time recorded these proceedings under such headlines as The Fenian Outrage.

When the Magistrates court proceedings began on the 26^th September 1867, at least forty one prisoners had been charged with offences concerning the attack on the prison van. After days of evidence and counter claims, twenty thee of these were charged with murder and riot. Three men who had been arrested at a later date also appeared before the Manchester Magistrates court. They were William Joseph Brophy, Daniel Redden and James O’Brennan Chambers and were sent for trial on the murder charge also. All 26 men appeared at a Special Commission which opened at the Assize Courts on Saturday 26^th October 1867.

Here are shown the full register entry for the first prisoner and extracts for the other prisoners.

579 William Gould. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: Death. Age: 30. Ht: 5 ft 8 1/2. Complexion, Hair and Eyes: Fresh , Lt brown, Grey. Occupation: Clerk. Where Born: New York, America. Last or Usual Residence: 72 Clopton St, Hulme. Religion: RC. Education R(eads) + W(rites) well. Single. Irish. Marks etc: Cut over right eyebrow small cut 2nd finger left hand. If in any other prison: Liverpool Assizes December 1866 for possession of fire arms. Acquitted. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed of: Executed Nov 23rd 1867.

580 William O'Mara Allen. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: Death. Age: Last April 19 6/12. Ht: 5ft 91/2. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Pale, Brown, Grey. Trade or Profession: Joiner. Where Born: Near Thurles, Tipperary. Last or Usual Address: 101 Sudell St, Manchester. Religion: RC. Education: R + W well. Single. Irish. Marks etc: Cut on left cheek bone, cut top of nose, cut on 2nd finger left hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Executed Nov 23/67.

581 Edward Shore. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: Death: Commuted to Penal Servitude for Life. Age 27. Ht: 5ft 8ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Dk Brown, Grey. Occupation: Hawker. Where Born: County Cork. Last or Usual Address: Clopton St, Hulme. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp(erfect). Married with no children.. Irish. Wt in: 11st 4lbs. Wt Out: 11st Olbs. Marks etc: Cut on right eyebrow, cut left of upper lip, cut on left thumb. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 24/67 Removed to Millbank.

582 Michael Larkin. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: Death. Age: 30. Ht: 5ft 51/2. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Pale, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Tailor. Where Born: Parson Town, King's County. Last or Usual Address: 12 Eliza St, Hulme. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Married. Four Children. Irish. Marks etc: Large scar under left jaw, small scar under right jaw, cut 4th and 5th fingers left hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Executed Nov 23/67.

583 Charles Moorhouse. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: 5 years Penal Servitude + 2 years Hard Labour to be concurrent. Age: 23. Ht: 5ft 3ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Lt Brown, Hazel. Occupation: Clerk. Where Born: city of Dublin. Last or Usual Address 6 Menai St, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Well. Married. 2 children.. Irish. Marks etc: Eyebrows meet. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 16/67 Removed to Millbank.

584 Patrick Kelly (Galway). When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 35. Ht: 5ft 31/2 ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Black, Hazel. Occupation: Potato dealer. Where Born: Athenry, Galway Last or Usual Address: Bengal St, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: N(il). Married. 2 children. Irish. Marks etc: 2 blue dots under left eye, scar right of chin, cut 5th finger of right hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 9/67.

585 Michael McGuire. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 32. Ht: 5ft 8ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Sallow, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Shopkeeper. Where Born: Kilkearn(sic), Galway. Last or Usual Address: 40 Smithfield Market, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Married. 2 children. Marks etc: Scar left of forehead, cut over right eyebrow, cut end of 2nd & 3rd fingers left hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 9/67.

586 John Martin. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age:34. Ht: 5ft 101/2ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Sallow, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Cooper. Where Born: St Michael's, Dublin. Last or Usual Address: Varley St, Miles Platting, Newton Heath. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Married. 2 children. Irish. Marks etc: lost 3 upper teeth, cut corner right eye, scar bridge of nose, cut on 2nd finger left hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 9/67.

587 John Brannon. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: 5 years Penal Servitude + 2 years Hard Labour to be concurrent. Age: 40. Ht: 5ft 81/2ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Sallow, Black, Grey Occupation: Clothes Dealer. Where Born: Roscommon. Last or Usual Address: Cable St, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: R . Married. 4 children. Irish. Wt in: 11st 5lbs. Wt Out: 11st 5lbs. Marks etc: Lost 2 upper front teeth, slightly pockpitted, cut back of right hand. If in any other Prison since last Committal here: 2 years at city gaol 6 or 7 years ago. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 16/67 Removed to Millbank.

588 John Francis Nugent. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 22. Ht: 6ft 0ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Joiner. Where Born: Drogheda, Louth. Last or Usual Address: 68 Buckley St, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Single. Irish. Marks etc: Hollow scar centre of forehead, two cut on two fingers left hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 12/67

589 William Martin. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 35. Ht: 5ft 71/2ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Red, Hazel. Occupation: Clerk. Where Born: City of Dublin. Last or Usual Address: Varley St, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: R + W well. Married. 6 children. Irish. Marks etc: cut centre of forehead, cut inside right hand When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 12/67.

590 John Carroll. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: 5 years Penal Servitude + 2 years Hard Labour to be concurrent. Age: 24. Ht: 5ft 9ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Labourer. Where Born: Danefort, Kilkenny. Last or Usual Address: 2 Bradleys Buildings, Naylor St, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: N. Single. Irish. Marks etc: Large scar right cheek, mole right of mouth, mole under left eye. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 16/67 Removed to Millbank.

591 Michael Jos Boylan. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 34. Ht: 5ft 5ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Sallow, Greyish, Grey. Occupation: Schoolmaster. Where Born: Aughnamullen, Monaghan. Last or Usual Address: 69 Syndall St, Ardwick. Religion: R C. Education: R + W well. Married. 0 children. Irish. Marks etc: Cut on right eyebrow, cut ball of thumb. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov9/67

592 Michael Kennedy. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Acquitted. Age: 28. Ht: 5ft 53/4ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Dk Brown, Hazel. Occupation: Cane Dresser. Where Born: Tarmonbarry, Roscommon. Last or Usual Address: 96 Clarendon St, Hulme. Religion: R C. Education: R. Single. Irish. Marks etc: Red natural mark on right cheek. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 12/67

593Thomas Maguire (soldier in the Royal Marines). When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: Death (Nov 13th 1867 Recd Free pardon from the Secretary of State). Age: 31. Ht: 5ft 61/2ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Soldier. Where Born: Kings Court, Cavan. Last or Usual Address: 42 Greengate, Salford. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Single. Irish. Marks etc: Blue cut left of forehead in hair, blue ring third finger left hand, anchor on right arm + bracelet on wrist. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Discharged Nov 13/67 having received a free pardon from Secretary of state.

594 Henry Wilson. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Acquitted. Age: 27. Ht: 5ft 8ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Clothes Dealer. Where Born: city of Dublin. Last or Usual Address: 50 Smithfield Market, Manchester. Religion: Ch (C of E). Education: R + W Imp. Married. 1 child. Irish. Marks etc: Small mole back of right hand, cut 5th finger left hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 9/67.

595 John Bacon. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 40. Ht: 5ft 5ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Sallow, Dk brown, Grey. Occupation: Shoemaker. Where Born: Faughuitown (sic),Westmeath. Last or Usual Address: 29 Cable St, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp . Married. 0 children. Irish. Marks etc: Left foot deformed, cut on 3rd finger left hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 9/67

596 Patrick Coffey. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 27. Ht: 5ft 4ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Pale, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Joiner. Where Born: Ballinasloe, Roscommon. Last or Usual Address: Bonsall St, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Single. Irish. Wt In: 8St 7lbs. Wt Out: 8St 7lbs. Marks etc: 5th finger right hand crooked, cut 2nd finger left hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 12/67

597 Thomas Ryan. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 30. Ht: 5ft 7ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Pale, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Fustian Stiffener. Where Born: Salford, Lancs. Last or Usual Address: Brown Cross St, Salford. Religion: R C. Education: R. Married. 3 children. English. Marks etc: Cut back of right hand, cut over left eyebrow. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 7/67.

598 Thomas Scalley. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: 5 years Penal Servitude + 2 years Hard Labour to be concurrent. Age: 22. Ht: 5ft 5ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Tailor. Where Born: Loughglyn, Roscommon. Last or Usual Address: Chapel St, Salford. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Single. Irish. Marks etc: Large scar near right temple, very large eyebrows. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 16/67 Removed to Millbank

599 Timothy Featherstone. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: 5 years Penal Servitude + 2 years Hard Labour to be concurrent. Age: 20. Ht: 5ft 8ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Sallow, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Shoemaker. Where Born: Limerick. Last or Usual Address:15 Cook St, Salford. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Married. 0 children. Irish. Wt In: 10St Olbs. Wt Out: 10St 0lbs. Marks etc: 2 cuts 2nd finger left hand, scar back of right hand, small mole right of nose. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 16/67 removed to Millbank.

600 William Murphy. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: 5 years Penal Servitude + 2 years Hard Labour to be concurrent. Age: 25. Ht: 5ft 8ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Sallow, Dk Brown, Grey. Occupation: Shoemaker. Where Born: Menagh, Tipperary. Last or Usual Address: 42 Hardman St, Manchester. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Single. Irish. Marks etc: 2 cuts on left thumb, small mole back of right hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 16/67 Removed to Millbank.

601 Thomas Johnson. When Received and by Whom: Oct 5th 1867 R. Knowles Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 30. Ht: 6ft 1ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Labourer. Where Born: County Mayo. Last or Usual Address: Fleet St, Ashton Religion: R C. Education: N . Married. 0 children. Irish. Marks etc: Blind of left eye, blue scar right of forehead. Register Number in Next Case: 4992. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 7/67

The others were listed as follows:

699 Daniel Redden. When Received and by Whom: Oct 16th 1867 R. Fowler Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: 5 years Penal Servitude + 2 years Hard Labour to be concurrent. Age: 25. Ht: 5ft 81/2ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Brown, Grey. Occupation: Plasterer. Where Born: Kingstown, Dublin. Last or Usual Address: Crawford St, Tythebarn St, Liverpool Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Single. Irish. Marks etc: Pockpitted, blue cross top of left thumb, anchor top of right thumb. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 16/67 Removed to Millbank.

670 Jas O'Brennan Chambers. When Received and by Whom: Oct 16th 1867 R. Fowler Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 29. Ht: 5ft 91/2ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Sallow, Dk Brown, Grey. Occupation: Joiner. Where Born: Town and County Wexford. Last or Usual Address: Clifton St, Liverpool. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Married. 1 child. Irish. Marks etc: Lost a[ll] front upper teeth, scar on right arm, cut 2nd finger left hand, small scar centre of forehead. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 7/67.

671 William Brophy. When Received and by Whom: Oct 16th 1867 R. Fowler Esq. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Discharged No Evidence Offered. Age: 26. Ht: 5ft 91/2ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, brown, Grey. Occupation: Porter. Where Born: Thurles, Tipperary. Last or Usual Address: Chadwick St, Liverpool. Religion: R C. Education: R + W Imp. Single. Irish. Marks etc: Small mole left of neck, small mole right of neck, small mole right arm, cut 3rd finger left hand. When Discharged or Otherwise Disposed: Nov 12/67.

An image of the entries for the prisoners

Courtesy of Manchester Archives and Local Studies

picture copyright: Gerard Lodge

The case against the Gould, Allen, Shore, Larkin and Maguire was heard first. It was argued that the case should not be heard in Manchester or anywhere in Lancashire. That was rejected and the trial proceeded. At times it was very fractious, the details of which can be read elsewhere. The others were tried in small batches before different juries although the legal teams and many of the witnesses were same in all the trials.

After the verdict each of the five were asked if they had anything to say why sentence should not be passed against him. Allen stated that he was not William O'Meara (O'Mara in the prison register) Allen, but William Patrick Allen of Omara, County Cork.

Gould denied being guilty of murder and stated that he wished to be known by his real name Captain Michael O'Brien, formerly of the United States Federal Army, born in County Cork. He then proceeded to read out a long speech on the wrongs perpetrated by the British on Ireland.

Shore protested his innocence and also admitted that his name was Edward O'Meagher Condon. Both Larkin and Maguire protested their innocence. As they were being taken down all of them bar Maguire, shouted " God Bless Ireland."

What the register does not make clear is that all the men who were sentenced to 5 years had actually been cleared of the murder charges. They were charged with the misdemeanours of assaulting police officers in the execution of their duty and riot. They received the maximum possible sentences. A couple of the others who are noted as being discharged no evidence offered were actually acquitted by the jury.

There were two other people convicted of the murder of Charles Brett. They were also sentenced to death. Although they were arrested in different places and at different time, they were tried together at Manchester Assizes on March 16/17th 1868. The jury was sent out to deliberate the verdict at around 7.00 in the evening. After 40 minutes they returned with their guilty verdict.

1249 Wm Pherson Thompson. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester .Sentence: Death. Commuted to Penal Servitude for life. Age: 28. Ht: 5ft 8 1/2. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Sallow, Lt Brown, Grey. Occupation: Hawker. Where Born: Greenock, Scotland. Last or Usual Residence: No Settled residence. Religion: RC. Reading and Writing: Imp. Wt In: 9st 3lbs. Wt Out:9st 1lb. Marks etc: Mole under right jaw. April 1st removed to Millbank.

1927 Patrick Melody. Offence and Where Committed: Having on the 18th September 1867 feloniously wilfully & with malice aforethought killed & murdered one Charles Brett at Manchester. Sentence: Death. Commuted to Penal Servitude for life. Age: 24. Ht: 5ft 9ins. Complexion, Hair, Eyes: Fresh, Sandy, Grey. Occupation: Coach Trimmer. Where Born: City of Dublin. Last or Usual Address: 161 Stanhope St, Hampstead Road, London. Religion: RC. Reading and Writing: Imp. Wt In: 11st 4lbs. Wt Out: 11st 0. Marks etc: Scar top of right thumb. Removed to Millbank April 1st 1868.

Thompson was arrested on 29th November 1867 at London Rd Railway Station. He was found in possession of forty five revolvers. These revolvers were linked to some of those that were found after the attack on the prison van in Hyde Rd. William Hogan, a Birmingham man was charged with being an accessory before the fact, but he was acquitted in the Magistrates' court. Thompson was also known as Patrick Lennan.

In mid February the following year Patrick Melody was arrested in London and subsequently tried for the murder of Charles Brett. His name does not feature in the events leading up to the main trial. At his trial he was identified by one of the women prisoners, Emma Halliday, also in the van carrying Kelly and Deasey, as being one of the participants of the attack.

An article in the New York Times (June 18th 1905) states that Melody served 11 years and was then pardoned in return for going to America and not returning to Britain for 20 years. The reason for the article...he was trying to commit suicide in a fountain in Madison Square. The New York Times also carried an earlier article about him dating from December 10th 1896. He was found to be in the Chicago poorhouse and it was reported that he "might have come into a smug fortune in Dublin"...and "had inherited a coach factory at 13 Woodkay St, Dublin and seven dwelling house from his uncle John Melody".

Condon and Melody were given Free Pardons in 1878. Thomson, his real name was Daniel Darragh, was sent to Portland Gaol. He was described as being "delicate in health". This man died in gaol June 28th 1870 and by some is regarded the fourth Manchester Martyr. In an item in The Irish Times it is reported that the body of Darragh was escorted back to Ballycastle, County Antrim by William Hogan.

The Murder Law has been changed in subsequent years. Even in the 1953 Derek Bentley was executed for just being present at a murder. Under the current law, these men could not have been convicted of murder.

For many, the sadness was the loss of the life of the brave Police sergeant only doing his duty, Charles Brett. There is a monument to Sergeant Brett in St Ann's Church, Manchester. It is interesting to note that this was not the first time Charles Brett had been in a prison van that had been attacked. The Manchester City News reported on January 23rd 1864 that a William Bradley, a letter-press printer, was charged with causing an uproar, in Bridge St, where the court was situated. The arresting officer was Charles Brett. In his evidence, he stated that on the previous day, that the police van in which he was travelling was followed by a mob of nearly 100 young men, who were yelling, hooting and hissing in a most outrageous manner. Brett noticed Bradley in particular, and jumped off the van, gave chase and captured him. Bradley was fined 30s and costs, or 14 days' imprisonment. He served the latter.

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