Examination of Francis Taafe

fol. 135r

1613
Gallway 23th May 1653
The examinacion of Collonell ffrancis Taafe
Who being duely sworne and examined saith that hee knew Charles Connor & Hugh Connor the brothers <A> of ô Connor Sligo: and hee heard of a horrid Murder committed in Sligo vppon one Steward William Walsh & divers others, wherin the said Charles & Hugh wer principle actors Hee further saith that Maior generall Lucas Taafe and this examinant with 500 men did by force apprehend the said persons for the said murder and brought them prisoners to Ballynefad in order to their triall for th at murder where they wer kept prisoners a long tyme, (but the certaine tyme hee doth not remember) during <B> which tyme hee beeleives the said Maior generall Taafe sent after to such as had the cheife authority in this province desireing that the said parties might bee brought to a tryall: and at length finding it both very inconvenient to continue them any longer in that place, the said Maior L i eutenant generall caused them to be convoyed to Castle Coot to the intent they migh t b e e there brought to Justice as hee beeleives where Leuitenant generall Burke then was [ ] with an army who then commanded in cheife both in that army beseigeing that place & in the whole province, where the said Charles & Hugh wer left prisoners, & wer within a week aforesaid sett at liberty, but by what meanes or whose orders hee knoweth not
Hee further saith that about a twelvemonth agoe hee saw the said Hugh ô Connor come into the Lord Clanrickards army <C> neer Ballyshannon, & discovered him to the said Lord Clanrickard and desired hee might bee questioned for the aforesaid murder who promised & engaged that soe soone as hee gott into Ballyshannon hee would have him hanged; which was prevented by the sudden of approach of the English Army And the said Hugh is now in a actuall rebellion not daring to come in beecause of that murder as hee is informed
fra Taaffe
Taken before
Cha:Coote
Walt: Carwardine

fol. 135v

1614

The examinacion of Coll. ffra: Taafe against Leiutenant generall Burke.