The Irish standard., 1905-12-23
FAMOUS DUELS
ancient Barristers of Ireland
Were Quick TO Resort
To the Pistols ID Settle their
Difficulties.

| 1t is a curious fact that barristers,
| who might be expected to have a
special respect of law and order. were
very prominent figures in the dueling
| which was so common in Ireland in
the eighteenth century.
Among the barristers most distin-
guished in this way was Bully Egan
of Kilmainham, Chairman for the
County of Dublin. He was large,
black, burly man, but of so soft and
good -natured a disposition that he
was never known to pass severe sem
tence on a criminal without numbering
in tears. Yet he perhaps fought more
duels than any man on or off the
bench. Though so tenderhearted in
passing sentence on q criminal, he
! was remarkably firm in shooting a
friend.
1t was no unusual thing for two OPP
posing counsels to fall out in court in
discussing legal point. to retire to q
neighboring field to settle it with
pistols. and then return to court to re-
sumo the argument in a more peace
+; able manner.
Such an instance occurred at the AS
sizes of Waterford about a hundred
years ago. Keller and Egan fell out
on a point Of law, and both retired
from court. They crossed the River
SUR in a ferryboat to gain the County
of Kilkenny. Harry Hayden, a large
man and justice of the peace for the
county FASTENED to the spot, and got
in between them just as they were
preparing to fire. They told him to
get out of the way, or they would
shoot him, and then break every bone
! in his body. They exchanged shots
without effect, and then returned to
| court. The cause of their absence
! was generally understood, and they
found the bench, jurybox and specta-
tors waiting quietly to hear which OF
them was killed.
Toler, Lord Norbury. Chief Justice
Of the Common Pleas. fought fight
ing" Fitzgerald, and two others, with
their pistols muzzle to muzzle. Sc
distinguished was Mr.. Toler for his
deeds in this way that he was always
the man depended on by the admins
tration to frighten a member Of thu
opposition, and so rapid was his pro
motion in consequence that it wal
said he shot up into preferment.
The Right Honorable G. Ogle, I
Privy Councillor and member TO
Dublin, the great Orange champion
I encountered Barry Coyle. a distiller o
whiskey, because he was a Catholic
, and Coyle challenged him, because h
, said "he would as soon break an oatl
as swallow a poached egg" The com
, batants were so determined that the
actually discharged four brace Of pls
tolls without effect. The seconds di
t not come off so well as the principal
4 one of them broke his arm, by STUN
bling into a potato trench. Ogle wa
as distinguished as poet as duelis
and his song of "Bannow's Banks" ha
been a prime favorite.
The Right Honorable Henry Graf
tan, leader of the House Of Commons
was ever ready to sustain with hi
pistols the force of his argument
He began by fighting Lord Earlsfor'
and ended with the Honorable 1saa
!, Cory, Chancellor Of the Excheque
He called him, in the debate on tn
from the House to fight him,while til
"a debate was going on, and shot hi
"a through the arm.
= The public mind was in such stat
{, of irritation from the period of 1880
"a the time OF the Union that it was SUI
~. posed three hundred remarkable due
J. were fought in Ireland during that il
terval Counties and districts BEGAN
: distinguished for their dexterity at tt
~ weapons used-Galway for the swor
:. Tipperary, Roscommon and Sligo fl
N the pistol, Mayo for equal skill
"a both.
"a Weapons Of offense were general
~, kept at the inns for the accommod;
~ ton of those who might come on :
I'd emergency unprovided. In such case
&C pistols were ordered for two al
# breakfast for one" as it might, al
:. did sometimes, happen that the 9th
:. diG not return to partake Of it, bell
left dead on the field. No place w
!, free from encounters. There was on
,a an encounter in st. Stephens Gree
, in which the parties were waikiki
~, around the enclosure in different {
IL, rections, and as soon as they met tn
sprang at each other like two gar
cocks. A large crowd collected and
ring was formed, when some huma
persons cried: For Gods sake. ps
az them!" NO." said brave gentlem
in the crowd, "let them fight it o