STRABANE SESSIONS
At the above Quarter Sessions nothing of any interest was tried, except the following case, arising out of the Fishery Laws –
ANDREW WATSON
CHARLES STEWART
ROBERT GALBRAITH
JOHN STEVENSON
THOMAS McCONNELL
JAMES DALY
JAMES McCONNELL
JAMES STEWART
ALEXANDER COLHOUN
were indicted for riot and assault at Grange, near Newtownstewart, on the 17th of November, 1838, arising out of a breach of the Fishery Laws. A warrant had been granted for Charles Stewart, one of the prisoners, about two years ago. On the day the assault was committed, they were all digging potatoes at Grange, when Stewart was made prisoner by DAVID McFEETERS. The prisoners, judging the warrant was out of date, thought the arrest illegal, and consequently resisted, by beating McFeeters and the other Water Keepers with spades, by which they were much injured.
The Learned Barrister stated to the prisoners, and wished the public to know, that no man is tolerated by the law to strike with any iron, or deadly weapon, any other man, although that person may strike first, or arrest under illegal authority – or, in other words, to make more than a proportionate defence.
JOHN STEVENSON, one of the prisoners convicted, was afterwards released, in consequence of a memorial from the Foreman of the Jury, stating that he was not of sound mind for the last fifteen months.
Sentence – ANDREW WATSON, four months imprisonment and hard labour, CHARLES STEWART, 2 months imprisonment and hard labour, ROBERT GALBRAITH, 6 months imprisonment and hard labour, and each to give security to keep the peace for seven years. The other five acquitted.
39 people arraigned for various small
offences.