1791 Aug 18 Freeman's Journal
DUNDALK ASSIZES
On the 17th inst. the assizes here, which was held before the Right Hon. Mr.
Justice Kelly, when the following persons were tried: - John Donaldson,
a Preventing-officer of his Majesty's Revenue, was indicted for the murder of Thomas
Martin,
a boy under the age of fourteen years.
On the prosecution it appeared in evidence that the prisoner having received
information, that a quantity of smuggled goods were at the port of Dundalk, he
the prisoner called upon a party of the army, for his assistance; and on his
way to the shore or strand of Dundalk, he was set upon and hooted at, by a
number of small boys, who called him nick names - that the prisoner being
enraged at such conduct, his passion overpowered his reason, and the result
was, that he gave orders to the soldiers who accompanied him to fire, in
consequence of which the deceased received a shot in the thigh of which he
died.
The jury acquitted him of the murder, but found him guilty of manslaughter at
large. The learned judge sentenced him to be burned in the hand and imprisoned
for three months.
