The
Clashmore 'Wool Pluckers'
Waterford
Mail 4 March 1858
'Anastasia
Handlon and Margaret Curtin were indicted for stealing on the 21st of January,
21lbs weight of wool at Clashmore, the property of Major Dent. Mr George Q.C.
stated the case, which was one of plucking wool off the sheep's backs from the
effects of which the animals died. Michael Magrath - I know Major Charles Dent;
I was his Shepherd in January last. On the morning of the 22nd I went out to
look after the sheep, and saw ten of them were plucked...one of them died in a
few days. In eight or nine days after I went to Dungarvan, and saw a quantity
of wool with Constable Hearn, black, white and grey. I examined the wool and am
able to say that is the wool that was taken from the sheep's backs'.
Patrick
Healy, Mr Dent's steward corroborated Magrath's evidence. The court heard that
the two women were assisted by John Curran, Thomas Cremin, John Hearty, Margaret
Handlon and John Kirby.
'Catherine
Dee servant to Mrs Cremin at Abbeyside, proved that the prisoners sold 29lbs of
wool to her at 6d a lb. Her mistress paid ten shillings at the time, and next
day 4s and 6d. On hearing afterwards that the wool was stolen she gave it up to
the police. Mr Triphook, Governor of the county jail, stated that the two women
had five previous convictions and they were sentenced to 18 months.