3-028-548 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches from Ireland: cabin at Clonfad on the estate of Lord Castlemaine, in Kilkenny West, 1870. 'The place where the Rev. Mr. Crofton was fired at is just beyond the little village of Clonfad, about a couple of hundred yards distant from the wretched cabin shown in the Engraving...[The person responsible is believed to be] a tenant on Mr. Crofton's small estate, who is commonly spoken of with the prefix of 'captain'...and is believed to be the leader of the Ribbonmen of Westmeath...Mr. Crofton had walked over to Clonfad...to collect his rents, and...had renewed an intimation previously given to his tenants of his intention to increase the rents on this property. At the spot mentioned he was intercepted by three men, one of whom fired at him, wounding him slightly in the left shoulder, after which the ruffians scampered off...Since the above occurrence he has given all his tenants, some twelve in number, notice to quit - a circumstance at which one can hardly feel surprised'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.