Theft of a beef and rhubarb pie in Moneygall

From our Library of Archives on Local News and Events in Nenagh, built up since our very first issue in 1838 comes this story of a theft by a beef and rhubarb pie exactly a century ago.......

On Sunday, July 13, while Mr Michael Ryan, Busherstown, Moneygall, was absent at Mass, his dinner of beef and rhubarb pie vanished. His disappointment has a sequel at Birr court on Friday, when Joseph McMahon, stated to be a native of Cork, was charged by Inspector Dennehy, Civic Guard, Birr, with the larceny of the tart.

Mr Ryan said he and his family were at Mass in Moneygall and when they came back some beef and rhubarb pie, which had been in readiness for the dinner, was taken.

Guard Flynn, Moneygall, said the offence had been reported to him. He lay in wait, and the defendant, after some time, came to the place where the meat and pie were concealed. Having been cautioned, McMahon had admitted taking “the dinner”, and said he was hungry at the time.

In reply to the Justice, the defendant said he could not get work in the Moneygall district. He had not anything to eat and he had taken the beef and the rhubarb because he was hungry.

Mr Dennehy said that the defendant - who came from Patrick Street, Cork - had a horse and car and dealt in rags and bottles. “I don’t believe in the suggestion that he could not get anything to eat in Moneygall, where the people are the most hospitable in Ireland,” the Inspector added.

The Justice bound over the defendant for 12 months.