Limerick Chronicle, 14 March 1849: ‘Judge Ball took his seat on the bench shortly after ten o’clock, and the following jury was sworn [...] John, Timothy, and Edmond Delane, Patrick Stack and Patrick Sullivan, were indicted for setting fire to four stacks of hay at Drumadda on the 3d October last, the property of Maurice Wolfe. Patrick Wolfe examined by Hon. Mr. Plunkett Lives at Drummada; recollects the 3d of October last; my four brothers and father lived with me; my father has a farm; there was hay on the meadow made up in small stacks; watched it the night it was burned; my brother Thomas was with me; five men came with sods of turf lit in their hands, and they burned four stacks of it; Pat Sullivan had no fire when the hay was burned; knew the whole of the party (identifies them); knew them a long time; it was a dark night; was within a few perches of them when the hay got blazed; we saw them quite plain; they could not see us, for we hid behind a ditch, for we were afraid they would murder us; they remained till the hay was blazed; it was about ten o’clock at night; Drumadda is in the western part of Co. Limerick; it is the property of Mr Goold; went next day to the magistrate, and made informations; there was about 5 cwt in each stack. Cross-examined by Mr. Mullins - My brother and a labouring boy was with me; did not stop them from setting fire to the hay; there was a house within a quarter of a mile from us, I remained in the ditch; my brother went as evidence against John Delane and Patrick Stack that day to Abbeyfeale Petty Sessions. After some unimportant testimony, Mr. Mullins rose to address the jury found a verdict of guilty, when John, Timothy and Edmond Dillane, and Patrick Stack, were sentenced to be transported for seven years, and Patrick Sullivan to eighteen months’ imprisonment.’
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