BALLINA CHRONICLE Wednesday, August 1, 1849

DARING OUTRAGE- GALLANT CONDUCT OF A FEMALE – On Sunday morning, the 22nd inst., some persons called at the bed-room window of a farmer, named Gilbert Egan, residing near Lisduff, and desired him to get up that all of his property was stolen; upon which his wife got out of bed and opened the door; when four fellows fiercely rushed in, following her into the bed-room where her husband was asleep. One of them had two stones in his hands; and while he was in the act of lifting his hand to strike Egan, Mrs. Egan caught him by the breast, knocked him down and took one of the stones from him. Another of the party then struck her with a large stick on the hands and shoulders, whereupon her husband jumped out of bed, seized the fellow by the throat and took the stick from him. Egan and his wife then armed themselves and beat the party out of the room, and while doing so, Egan received a severe cut in the temple which deprived him of strength. Nothing daunted, Mrs. Egan and two of her children encountered three of the ruffians in the kitchen, but in the struggle she and her children were severely assaulted. She called repeatedly to her servant boy, and a schoolmaster named Cleary, who were in the house, to come to her assistance and make prisoners of the party. This they very cowardly and disgracefully refused to do, alleging they were afraid of being killed! On leaving they told her to make her husband give up the land he had lately taken or they would give him a barbarous death. Two of the party have been arrested and identified and fully committed to Nenagh gaol. —Nenagh Guardian.