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RTÉ News
6 days ago
- RTÉ News
Why did so many punishment burials occur in Limerick after 1798 rebellion?
Analysis: The scale of brutal punishment burials and interments was such that the burial pits became known as 'Croppies' Holes' By Shane McCorristine, Newcastle University Archaeologists in Limerick city recently uncovered the skeletal remains of 36 individuals on the site of the old city gaol, which operated from 1813 to 1904 near Merchant's Quay. There was some surprise at this number, and it was thought that they were the remains of prisoners who were buried there after execution or died from other causes in the prison hospital. But this is less surprising given the scale of punishment burials and gaol-yard interments in Ireland in the aftermath of the 1798 rebellion. The legal framework for prison burial as a form of postmortem punishment was established with the Hanging in Chains Act 1834 and Offences Against the Person Act 1861. This punishment was for executed murderers only and it replaced the previous sentencing options of dissection or hanging in chains. Prison burials took place on unconsecrated ground, without traditional burial rites, and without any memorial or marker. In addition to this mark of disgrace, quicklime was used to hasten decomposition and erase the condemned body as quickly as possible, although it was also needed to prevent contagion from corpses in busy prison yards. Long before it was mandated by the law, prison burials were common in Ireland where there was a particular custom of interring bodies in pits known as "Croppies' Holes". People hanged for crimes in Ireland other than murder could also end up being buried in this disgraceful manner. As the name indicates, these pits date back to the 1798 rebellion when United Irishmen were nicknamed "croppies" due to their cropped hair. Limerick appears to be the region where this practice was first recorded: United Irishman Patrick 'Staker' Wallis was hanged in Kilfinane in July 1798 for insurrection. His head was then spiked on his own pike and his body buried in a pit there (human remains suspected to be his were uncovered during works in 2006). In the same month, William Ryan Stephen was hanged at Caherconlish. It was reported that after execution "his body was brought back and thrown into Croppie's Hole, in the New Jail yard, appropriated for the interment of Rebels". This place was the "New Gaol" on Mary Street (built on the site of the old Tholsel in 1750), which was overcrowded with "the victims of suspicion and the men on the 'black list'" in 1798. What started as a temporary place to dump rebel bodies became a macabre landmark in Limerick, raising much disquiet among the people over its use as a postmortem punishment, even for those who were not convicted of capital offences. In 1809, the leader of a gang demanding arms, Garrett Howard, was shot dead during a robbery. His body was sent to the Croppies' Hole. The next year, another bandit died during a raid and was sent to the hole "as a warning to those villains". When the next prison was built in Limerick in 1813 – the city gaol at Merchant's Quay – this custom of using the Croppies' Hole as an extra-judicial form of punishment continued. At a Select Committee meeting on prisons in 1819, the Whig magistrate for Limerick Thomas Spring Rice (later Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1835-39) confirmed the practice of punishment burials in the hole for offences "of a very atrocious nature". Spring Rice was asked if there was not a law sentencing murderers to be dissected: "We have a law", he said, "but I have not known it to be carried into effect. I have known the plan I have described substituted in its stead". Spring Rice was deceiving his audience as it would have been difficult to forget the notorious executions and dissections of at least nine men for the murder of Thomas Dillon and his wife in Pallaskenry in 1815. So why were prison burials used as a postmortem punishment so often in Limerick? Spring Rice's evidence to parliament gives us the answer. He noted the importance of the wake to the people of Ireland and said that "the deprival of that rite is one of the greatest punishments to which the surviving relations can be subject". The wake was (and is) a key funeraral ritual in Irish culture, an opportunity to craft a "good death" and cleanse the body physically and symbolically of its sin. Wakes had the additional value of confirming the death of executed offenders in an era when premature burials or resuscitations of the hanged were a real possibility. In the bloody decades following the 1798 rebellion, interfering in wake customs was one of the many coercive policies designed to deter offenders and aggravate the feelings of communities in "disturbed" districts. From RTÉ Archives, Aoife Kavanagh reports for RTÉ News in 1998 on a memorial service at the Croppies' Acre in Dublin where United Irishmen leader Wolfe Tone died in 1798 This can be seen in a notorious incident in 1821 after a skirmish in Askeaton when a party of police attempted to arrest "disturbers of the peace" at an assembly. According to Major Richard Willcocks, giving evidence to another parliamentary inquiry, two injured men were taken prisoner and brought to Rathkeale. Willcocks reported that "the vital spark was not extinct" in one of them when he was brought in. "I did hear that shortly after they were brought into Rathkeale, they were thrown into some pit or hole that was dug for that purpose". Quicklime was thrown over them despite the people's clamour that he was still alive. When the next prison was completed in Limerick in 1821 - the County Gaol on Musgrave Street, which is now Limerick Prison – the Croppies' Hole continued to be used. In 1822 Major General Richard Bourke (later Governor of New South Wales) sent a petition to Dublin Castle requesting a cessation of "burying the bodies of executed Criminals within the walls of the Jail, in a place called Croppy's Hole, without the rites of Sepulture, and throwing quick lime upon them to ensure their speedier dissolution". This custom, Bourke noted, was "unauthorized by the Laws of the Land or the Order of Government". By this period, the Croppies' Hole was being used to inter ordinary prisoners who had died and even those who died before trial. Bourke was worried about the risk of disease with the yard becoming a "Charnel House", but also the fact that it was generating a "spirit of revenge" among local people. Prison burials continued long after the 1820s and we are still coming to terms with the legacy of the burials of combatants of the 1916-23 revolutionary period in Kilmainham Gaol, Mountjoy Prison and elsewhere. All that remains today of the old city gaol in Limerick is its limestone façade, which is preserved as part of civic offices on Crosbie Row. It is possible that some of the remains recently uncovered can be identified as those who suffered the extra-judicial punishment of burial in the Croppies' Hole. One of the ironies of quicklime is that it can occasionally act as a preservative, slowing down decomposition and maintaining, in some tenuous way, the identities of the silent dead.
Scottish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Chris Brown arrives at court over club ‘attack' after ‘hitting producer several times with bottle'
Brown was freed on bail after paying a £5million security fee STAR IN DOCK Chris Brown arrives at court over club 'attack' after 'hitting producer several times with bottle' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) R&B star Chris Brown has arrived at court after allegedly hitting a producer with a bottle repeatedly in a nightclub attack. The American singer, 36, is accused of assaulting Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, Central London, in February 2023. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Singer Chris Brown has arrived at court this morning ahead of a plea hearing Credit: Reuters 6 The American singer, 36, is accused of assaulting Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, Central London, in February 2023 Credit: Reuters 6 R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court this morning Credit: PA Brown was arrested at the five-star Lowry Hotel in Manchester after flying into the city on a private jet. The Go Crazy singer previously denied one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. He is also accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, namely a bottle, and is expected to enter pleas today at Southwark Crown Court. A trial set to last between five and seven days is scheduled for October 26, 2026. It comes after Brown was freed on bail after paying a £5million security fee to the court. The two-time Grammy-winner, who is performing a string of UK gigs, later posted on Instagram: "From the cage to the stage!" The court heard previously that Brown is alleged to have struck Abe Diaw "several times" with a bottle before chasing him across the bar. He is then accused of punching and kicking him alongside his co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu. Akinlolu - a US rapper who performs under the name HoodyBaby - also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause GBH with intent. The alleged attack was captured on CCTV in a club "full of people", it was said. Brown was bailed on the condition surrender his passport if he is not travelling on tour. His gigs kicked off in Amsterdam on June 8, with his first UK performance in Manchester taking place on June 15. He played in Cardiff's Principality Stadium to a sell-out crowd. Adele Kelly, the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, said at the time: "We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. "The alleged incident occurred in London on 19 February 2023. "He will have his first court appearance on Friday 16 May at Manchester Magistrates' Court. "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial. "It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings." 6 Chris Brown on stage during the Wireless Festival at Crystal Palace Park, 2022 Credit: PA 6 The singer is due to enter pleas today Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Chris Brown arrives at court over club ‘attack' after ‘hitting producer several times with bottle'
R&B star Chris Brown has arrived at court after allegedly hitting a producer with a bottle repeatedly in a nightclub attack. The American singer, 36, is accused of assaulting Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, Central London , in February 2023. Advertisement 6 Singer Chris Brown has arrived at court this morning ahead of a plea hearing Credit: Reuters 6 The American singer, 36, is accused of assaulting Abe Diaw at Tape nightclub in Mayfair, Central London, in February 2023 Credit: Reuters 6 R&B singer Chris Brown arrives at Southwark Crown Court this morning Credit: PA Manchester after flying into the city on a private jet. The Go Crazy singe r previously denied one count of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent. He is also accused of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, namely a bottle, and is expected to enter pleas today at Southwark Crown Court. A trial set to last between five and seven days is scheduled for October 26, 2026. Advertisement Read more It comes after Brown was freed on bail after paying a £5million security fee to the court. The two-time Grammy-winner, who is performing a string of UK gigs, later posted on Instagram: "From the cage to the stage!" The court heard previously that Brown is alleged to have struck Abe Diaw "several times" with a bottle before chasing him across the bar. He is then accused of punching and kicking him alongside his co-defendant Omololu Akinlolu. Advertisement Most read in Showbiz Exclusive Exclusive Akinlolu - a US rapper who performs under the name HoodyBaby - also pleaded not guilty to attempting to cause GBH with intent. The alleged attack was captured on CCTV in a club "full of people", it was said. Brown was bailed on the condition surrender his passport if he is not travelling on tour. His gigs kicked off in Amsterdam on June 8, with his first UK performance in Manchester taking place on June 15. Advertisement He played in Cardiff's Principality Stadium to a sell-out crowd. Adele Kelly, the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, said at the time: "We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. "The alleged incident occurred in London on 19 February 2023. "He will have his first court appearance on Friday 16 May at Manchester Magistrates' Court. Advertisement "The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial. "It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings." 6 Chris Brown on stage during the Wireless Festival at Crystal Palace Park, 2022 Credit: PA 6 The singer is due to enter pleas today Credit: Alamy Advertisement 6 American rapper and producer Omololu Akinlolu, also known as HoodyBaby Credit: Getty
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Chris Brown arrives at court to enter plea over more 'bottle attack' charges
Singer Chris Brown is due to appear at court again today after pleading not guilty to causing grievous bodily harm last month. The Yo (Excuse Me Miss) singer, 36, is expected to appear at Southwark Crown Court today for a plea and trial preparation hearing. Last month, Brown appeared at the same court and entered a plea of not guilty to the charge of grievous bodily harm with intent in connection to an alleged incident that took place at Tape nightclub in London in February 2023. Brown is accused of allegedly attacking Abraham Diaw with a bottle at the Tape venue in Hanover Square, Mayfair, on February 19 2023. During an appearance at Southwark Crown Court on June 20, Brown and his co-defendant, US national Omololu Akinlolu, plead not guilty. During the hearing, they were further charged with assaulting Mr Diaw occasioning him actual bodily harm, with Brown also facing one count of having an offensive weapon – a bottle – in a public place, but were not asked to enter pleas at the time. The singer and dancer, who has continued to tour after his arrest in May, has been pictured arriving at court today. Sporting a brown checked blazer jacket, white shirt and red and yellow striped tie, he had a straight face while walking towards the court. He added oversized sunglasses with brown lenses and a black thick frame to his ensemble. As the singer arrived in the UK ahead of his European stint of his Brezy Bowl XX 20th anniversary tour on May 15, he was arrested at the Lowry Hotel, Salford. He was arrested in connection with an alleged attack on music producer Abraham Abe Diaw. The alleged attack, which prosecutors described as "unprovoked", is said to have taken place at London's Tape nightclub in Mayfair on February 19, 2023. Speaking last month, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS London North, Adele Kelly said: "We have authorised the Metropolitan Police to charge Chris Brown, 36, with one count of grievous bodily harm, contrary to section 18 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. "The alleged incident occurred in London on February 19, 2023. He will have his first court appearance on Friday, May 16 at Manchester Magistrates' Court. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial. "It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings." The singer is charged with grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon, a bottle, in a public place. Last month Brown plead not guilty to the charge of grievous bodily harm. During that hearing, which took place on June 20, he was charged with ABH and having an offensive weapon in a public placee He is yet to enter pleas for the charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon in a public place.
The Herald Scotland
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
From 19th century to present day: Abortion laws in Scotland
Put forward by Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi, the NC One amendment seeks to remove women from long-standing legislation the Offences Against the Person Act 1861 and the Infant Life (Preservation) Act 1929 in relation to their own pregnancies, which criminalise abortion. This will become law if the provision remains unamended by the Lords during its forthcoming scrutiny of the bill. Some Scottish Labour MPs, including Katrina Murray who spoke to The Herald about her plea to the Scottish Government this weekend, have been calling for Scotland to follow suit. But should they and, fundamentally, can they? Before we answer that, let's take a look at the situation down South. Situation down South In England and Wales, the Offences Against the Person Act of 1861 criminalises anyone who uses instruments or administers 'poisons' to a woman with intent to cause her to miscarry. Section 58 and 59 of this act renders a woman who acts to end her own pregnancy or anyone who facilitates a woman obtaining an abortion criminally culpable. Section 60, has the bespoke offence of concealing a pregnancy. Under this, if the prosecution are able to show that you were pregnant and either a dead child has shown up that can be linked to you or there is no child despite the fact you were pregnant that can be criminal. This legislation does not cover Scotland, as specifically stated in section 78 of the act itself. Read more: Lucy Grieve: Scotland Must Press On With Abortion Law Reform Abortion Laws in Scotland So what is the situation in Scotland? Legal academic at Strathclyde University, Dr Jonathan Brown told The Herald the laws around abortion in Scotland are 'radically different' to those in England and Wales. 'The Scottish laws relating to abortion has almost nothing in common with the law relating to abortion in the rest of the UK, including Northern Ireland,' he said. Instead, abortion is criminalised by Common Law, however, there remains widespread confusion and uncertainty over whether a woman could be prosecuted as they have been in England. Under this, while prosecution of women and pregnant people seems unlikely, legal academic Dr Lynsey Mitchel argues that 'it is not something that can be guaranteed.' Another piece of abortion legislation covering Scotland is the UK Abortion Act passed in 1967 which excludes Northern Ireland. In section 5 of this act, it states that 'anything done with intent to procure a woman's miscarriage' is unlawfully done (unless authorised by section one of the act). Under this law, all abortions still require two doctors' signatures, and women must meet specific legal criteria to qualify for an abortion which essentially means that not wanting to be pregnant is not a valid reason to have an abortion. There's also the much older Concealment of Birth Scotland Act of 1809. Dr Brown explained: "What it does is essentially give rise to an evidentiary presumption that a woman has killed her own child that was born alive if she concealed her pregnancy. 'The prosecution don't need to prove the baby was born because it is designed to cover cases where a woman can be shown to have been pregnant and no child has appeared at all. "So it's got that latent flexibility in it that means that the prosecution don't need to prove the child was born alive. It then puts the burden on the woman to prove that she either aborted or gave birth to a still born child." This was the main piece of legislation used in Scotland to prosecute women for abortions or a long time, the academic tells The Herald. 'In the 19th century, that's the statute being used to prosecute women until the amount of women prosecuted for this drops off in the 20th century,' he said. Dr Brown said the 1809 act is a 'problematic' and 'discriminatory' piece of legislation which he said needs to see reform. He explained: 'What it does is essentially give rise to an evidentiary presumption that a woman has killed her own child that was born alive if she concealed her pregnancy. 'The prosecution don't need to prove the baby was born because it is designed to cover cases where a woman can be shown to have been pregnant and no child has appeared at all so it's got that latent flexibility in it that means that the prosecution don't need to prove the child was born alive. "It then puts the burden on the woman to prove that she either aborted or gave birth to a still born child. 'For all that this is openly discriminatory and quite harsh, it is actually a piece of legislation that is brought in for reasons of mercy because before 1809, it was act the mothering of children that applied here which meant that if you were convicted under these circumstances you were guilty of the crime of murder, a capital crime at the time.' Under the 1809 act, the maximum sentence for concealing abortion is two years. Between 1922 and present day, The Herald understands five women have been prosecuted under this 1809 statute in Scotland. There has been one 21st century case involving a woman in respect of her own child. Any other abortion case has involved abortion providers. Out of all these cases, no woman was acquitted. 'If it's brought in, it tends to be a conviction or a plea,' said Dr Brown, who has scoured the archives on these cases. He added: 'In England and Wales…there has been an uptick in the number of prosecutions brought, there hasn't been anything like that in Scotland.', he said. How does this fit in with the legal limit of 24 weeks? Across the UK, the legal limit for an abortion is 24 weeks into the gestation period. Dr Brown stressed that when considering illegality beyond this time period in the 1967 act, it is looking specifically at medical professionals. 'When it is talking about criminality in the context of the act, it is talking about the criminality of doctors who don't comply with what is expected of them. It doesn't criminalise woman.' he stressed. 'One of our institutional writers, David Shum, stated the foetus in Scots law is nothing more than part of the mother's body and self-harm is not criminal and, if the foetus is a part of the self, the woman acting to harm it is not criminally culpable.' Although a woman who procures drugs illegally to end her pregnancy may not be guilty of the crime around abortion laws, she may be guilty of another crime such as possession of a controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act. 'The only way I can see a women being prosecuted [in Scotland for abortion] is if a woman gets pregnant, doesn't tell anyone at all that she is in fact pregnant and then having secreted the fact of her pregnancy from absolutely everyone, does something at a sufficient at a sufficiently late stage of the pregnancy in a circumstance that leaves evidence of a child that could have been born alive. 'In that circumstance, the 1809 act could be applied.' What action is the Scottish Government taking? The Scottish Government has set up an expert group to review the law on abortion and advise on whether it should be changed. The Herald understands proposals from the group are expected to be published in late August or early September.
