Francis Magan: Difference between revisions

 

Magan was admitted to [[TCD]] in 1788, although he did not attend before 1791. He joined the [[College Historical Society]] but was never active. In May 1794 he signed the oath of loyalty required of any aspiring catholic barrister and went to London to study at [[Lincoln's Inn]]. Returning to Dublin in 1796, he was admitted to the Irish bar by [[King's Inns]] in Michelmas term. The published records of the [[King's Inns]] state he had been employed in the Irish revenue, but this is unconfirmed.

 

Magan's historical notoriety originates from a single act. During April–May 1798 he informed the government several times of the whereabouts of [[Lord Edward Fitzgerald]] (qv) on Thomas St., just as the latter prepared to take the field at the head of thousands of rebels. Lord Edward's apprehension on 19 May deprived the [[United Irishmen]] of their most charismatic leader. Magan was able to pass on this crucial intelligence to the Castle without being discovered, or even suspected during his lifetime, probably because of his otherwise unremarkable life. He had gained his intelligence through long involvement with the [[United Irishmen]], eventually being elected to the committee responsible for Dublin. He hosted a meeting of this committee on the night of 17 May 1798. Lord Edward attended and may have passed the night in Magan's house. Magan duly passed this information on to the [[Castle|Dublin Castle]] the next day, provoking an unsuccessful attempt by [[Major Sirr]] (qv) to apprehend the rebel as he departed from the rear of 20 [[Usher's Island]] at dusk (the Watling St. affray).