From the archives: Rogue bull invaded drinks tent at Mayo fair
By Tom Gillespie
A NOVEL case was heard at the Westport Quarter Sessions held on June 12, 1895, before County Court Judge Richards, when Miss Kate McHugh, licensed publican, Castlebar, sued Mr. Thomas Daly, Belcarra, Castlebar, for a sum of £4-10-0, being the value of some bottles of brandy, whiskey, etc., broken by his bull who unceremoniously invaded her tent on the Fairgreen of Castlebar on November 11, 1894.
The plaintiff, examined by her solicitor, Mr. Malachy Kelly, stated that she set up her tent on the Fairgreen where she had all classes of drink for the accommodation of her customers.
During the course of the fair Mr. Daly’s bull broke into her tent and did considerable damage, breaking a fairly large number of bottles, glasses, etc., while the animal also knocked down her tent. A man called Cooney appeared to be in charge of the bull but he had little or no control over the beast.
In cross-examination by Mr. P.J. Kelly, solicitor, witness admitted there was a huge number of cattle at the fair but denied her tent was in the way or caused any obstruction to the movement of animals.
There were several other tents but none of the tents interfered in any way with the free passage of stock.
She further denied she told Head Constable Brady there was only about 11/- worth of whiskey destroyed by the bull.
Mr. Thomas Daly, giving evidence for the defence, stated that on the day in question there was a line of tents leading into the Fairgreen and as all the animals had to pass them they were, in his opinion, calculated to obstruct the movement of cattle into the fair.
He had three men in charge of the bull, which was a quiet animal. He was engaged himself in another part of the fair where he had sheep and did not see the occurrence.
When he saw Miss McHugh she demanded £1 from him to cover her loss but he declined to pay it as her tent interfered with the passage of cattle.
Cross-examined, the witness admitted that Miss McHugh’s tent was at least 100 yards from the entrance to the Fairgreen.
The bull was under proper control as he had three men employed to look after him. He admitted there was no tying on the bull.
Mr. Malachy Kelly: Do you think it is a proper thing to allow a bull without a tying on him or a ring through his nose to go down the busy streets of Castlebar and into a Fairgreen where there were hundreds of animals?
Witness: I think it was. I would not send him there if I thought he would do any harm.
Constable Edward Harnett, examined by Mr. P.J. Kelly, testified that in his view Miss McHugh’s tent was only about 50 yards from the entrance gate.
He arrived at the scene about an hour after the occurrence and Miss McHugh informed him that Mr. Daly’s bull had smashed her tent and broken a number of bottles.
In cross-examination, witness admitted seeing a few brandy and whiskey bottles broken as well as a number of porter and beer bottles.
His Honour gave a decree for £4-10-0 with costs.
Writing in June of 1958, The Connaught Telegraph said the late Miss McHugh, who was an old resident of the town, owned a licensed premises in Tucker Street, which in 1958 was being run by a Miss McGarry. Miss McHugh was aunt of well-known citizens Miss Mary Fadden of New Line, Mrs. Eddie McTigue of Chapel Street and Mr. Andrew Jennings, butcher, Tucker Street.
The late Mr. Daly, who remained a bachelor, was the last male representative of that particular branch of the Daly family.