Looking Back: Ruffian tries to escape Kilcullen gaol

A little before the November assizes, an abandoned scoundrel, named John Reilly, escaped from Trim gaol, where he had been lodged by Prender of the Detective force, on a charge of burglary. The companions of his crime were found guilty and transported life. Reilly contrived to cut the bars of the cell in which he was confined, and into the Governor's rooms, dress himself in the Governor's clothes, and be allowed by the turnkey quietly to walk out of the gaol as the Governor himself! 

Subsequently this dangerous person led a free-and-easy life, assisting in the robbery of farms and pillaging houses. He broke into the house of Mr. Kinsallagh, of Clonsillon, in that county, and carried off a double-barrelled gun, a brace of pistols, and other articles. 

On Thursday week he attacked the house of Mr. O'Keefe, who resides near Kilcullen, and when resisted by a man-servant he fired off a pistol and was nearly adding murder to his other infamies. The crack of the pistol aroused the neighbourhood, and Reilly was apprehended. On his person were found nineteen rounds of ball cartridge, a double-barrelled gun which he had cut down to make handy for his pocket, and in his belt a brace of pistols. 

He broke the roof of Kilcullen gaol and again very nearly eluded justice. However he is now safe and at the next assizes will in all likelihood meet the penalty of his numerous offences.

(Newspaper report 1845. Credit Dave Byrne for trawling through the archives.)

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