The Welshmen of Tyrawley

by Graham Barratt

  The villagers were all outraged by what they had witnessed. Now, almost all of the gathering clan edged toward him while Thomas cried out for them to show restraint, but his appeal fell on deaf ears. Sitting on an old stonewall nearby, watching closely was a simple-minded farm boy. His face bore a permanent smile, while his eyes displayed a frown. His teeth were discoloured and decayed. The combination of which gave him a rather sinister look. Despite this, he had become a popular and much loved character in the townland. For a short time while he witnessed the assault on Molly, his smile waned.

  ‘No, he, he, he cannot do that to her, he cannot do it. I will not let him hurt her.’

  Skiddy threw down his pitchfork and rushed forward in a rage. Molly was hysterical with fear as she was pulled away from Dermot by Niall. He took her to a group of women for consolation and treatment for her wound. Dermot was still lying on the mud and manure coated ground while struggling to get up as Skiddy pulled a youth away from the Barrett to get closer to him. Dermot tried to get back onto his feet using his stick while sneering in contempt at Skiddy as he drew nearer.

  ‘Keep away, idiot, and do not do anything which will make your situation worse. It is only me who allows people like you to live in Tyrawley and you would all be wise to remember that. What happened was her own fault, she struggled and caused me to fall. It seems you are all a tribe of idiot fools, not just him.’

  The crowd moved closer to Dermot and grew increasingly angry. Skiddy kicked Dermot in his shin and the sound of his foot connecting with the bone rang out. Skiddy exhaled a deep and insane laugh and then looked across at Niall and the Lynott men for approval.

  Dermot held his shin and replied to the assault.

  ‘Come here, you brat, let me cane your back.’

  Niall looked around at the crowd, taking inspiration from Skiddy, who was now sniggering like a man possessed.

  ‘Pick up your whips and sticks. We should now baste this devil,’ demanded Niall.

  It was not long before several more young men began repeatedly striking his large body with singular blows.

  At first Dermot cursed and insulted the crowd.

  ‘You will pay for this, the spawn of rats and any person striking me. You will all pay with your life.’

  Thomas Lynott could not believe his eyes. The crowd of men were now in turmoil. He knew that there would be reprisals and called for self-control. Even one physical assault on the Barretts chief accountant would be met with revenge. Thomas’ calls for restraint were ignored and by now the men were using tools, clubs and wooden sticks as well as their boots to beat his cowering body. Some young men were kicking Dermot directly in his stomach to cause the greatest amount of pain and discomfort as Dermot began to retch. His face struggled for breath in a pool of vomit while his head grew red and the pain was etched clearly on his face as he tried hopelessly to get back onto his feet. Dermot cried out in agony. More young people gathered to deal out punishment on the pathetic broken man as the kicks grew harder and the frequency of body strikes increased. People were all around him now and once a firm kick was dealt, the individual would take a step back to allow another to take his turn. The attack was now at its height and the bones in his ribs and limbs began to crack one by one under the impact of the body blows. Despite his large frame, the sound of human bones breaking was unmistakable and Dermot’s screams confirmed the dreadful fact.

  Soon, a more systematic cycle developed as Dermot’s attackers maintained the rotation around each individual. By taking turn to strike him, it would be impossible to determine who had dealt the blow which would cause his death. Without a single murderer, there could be no murder. It was now evident that he was going to die and in Brehon law, it was a community act which no single person could be charged with the crime.

  Amongst the hysteria, Niall called out.

  ‘We can’t all be blamed for his death, everyone should keep kicking his body in turn. Let not one man stand in this place who has not dealt some punishment to this rat. There is not one assize that will judge who dealt the blow that ended his miserable life. According to our law, he is paying for his transgressions. He is making recompense to the clan of his victim, Molly.’

  By now Skiddy, Niall and other men had dealt several blows each. The mass of people continued to kick and punch the fat and lame body that was once a man. Kick after kick was inflicted to every part of his body.

  The reply from the Lynotts came from one man who stepped on the side of his head and his mandible snapped under the pressure.

  Niall raised a hand and called out to be heard.

  ‘My family, this man is not fit to have an Irish name. In the presence of you all, I will name Dermot according to his nature. I will do this for the sake of all history and tale. Let him be known as “the throat of a shaved penis” and we will baptise him as such.’

  It seemed like a strange name to give him, but Niall wanted to insult Dermot and his memory ensuring that his lasting legacy would be his vileness.

  By now, many of the women and children had left the area of the assault and returned to their homes. The young men all laughed at the announcement of his new name. Skiddy added to the insults.

  ‘He is not worth a flagon of pavee piss, we will be free of him.’

  God, please save us from similar visitations, thought Thomas.

  The taunts from Dermot had ceased as he mumbled some delirious words, asking quietly for mercy. His broken jaw, hanging and uncontrollable was preventing his words from being formed in any understandable way.

  The beating continued, as more bones broke, the sound of fractures and crepitus were clear. Dermot’s words were too soft to be heard by anyone standing near.

  ‘I am sorry, forgive me, have mercy, in God’s name, someone help my soul.’

  After a few minutes, his cries became only incomprehensive murmurs.

  ‘Help me, Lord,’ he mumbled.

  On his way to the end, Dermot had some short hallucinations, which included seeing his mother looking down on him, scolding him for revealing his father’s sexual habits with his sister. Then he was conscious for a short time and realising that he would soon be dead. For a brief moment, as his life was ebbing away, he understood his crimes and their consequences. As he lost consciousness, the parts of his limbs that were still functioning began to twitch and spasm. Then in a few moments, apart from the movement caused by the continuing body blows, his battered body gradually became motionless. Now, the only movement was the blood running from his nose and mouth purged by his failing heart.

  The mob, mainly men, maintained the attack until it was certain that the body was without any sign of life. His skin had perspired heavily and was now blue and cold. At last came his final breath as his diaphragm relaxed.

  Tobber Sgornach Bhuid Bhearrtha

  The young people gathered around Carn Castle green to hear an impromptu address by Niall. Although he was a strong candidate as an eventual leader and in line for leadership, he had no formal position in the community or clan, but he was popular and respected amongst the young people. Being intelligent and bright, his views were respected. As with the murder, it was Niall’s suggestion that the disposal of Dermot’s body was to be a deed conducted by the community rather than one person. Niall’s considered plan was agreed with the young people and Thomas proposed it to the elders. The majority of the community had agreed that the guilt had to be shared by all for the sake of everyone and disposal of Dermot’s corpse also had to be shared. Everyone who was able-bodied would be needed to play an active part and take a share of guilt. Elders, parents and older people all had relatives that were involved in the killing and concealment of the body. If the guilt was shared and a murderer could not be established, then it would assure protection for everyone and vengeance for Molly.

  On the command of Thomas and the elders, Some Lynott clansmen went from door to door to seek out any men who might be avoiding involvement in the incident. When times were good, benefits were shared.
Similarly, when there was a struggle, the burden must also be shared. That was the way of the clans. It was clan ethics that helped the tribes survive since the times of the Normans. In this case though, it would prove to be the downfall of the Lynotts.

  When the people of the townlands were assembled, Niall addressed them. He was almost delirious with rage.

  ‘The violence conducted by this man towards my sister is only matched by his loathing for our people. His life is now over, the disgusting man is dead. Now we shall send him to hell. Each and every one of you must play some part in moving the body from here to the tobber, where we will baptise him with his new name. We must all share the charge and drive the cart, carry the body and lift it into the well to make sure he is dead. After he has been there for some hours, we will need the well for water and so he must be moved.’

  The well was located on a public spring at the side of the road and so Dermot was to be immersed in it to ensure he was dead. Before the rot set in, he would need to be removed or the water would be tainted with the liquor of rotting flesh.

  Quickly, people mustered and a large group assembled to lend one hand to lift the battered body. Many young people were involved and only one hand was needed from each of them to lift the body with ease onto the cart again. As the horse moved at a slower pace, the driver was continually refreshed every 10 perches or so with new people until they reached the townland of Garranard. The cart stopped at the crossing as Niall took his position as the last driver. He prompted the horse around the right hand bend at the crossing, stopping at the well about 20 perches up the sloping road towards Ballycastle. The cart was now outside a few cottages and turf houses on the road. Niall raised one hand to stop the procession of clansmen. He beckoned for people to assist in removing the broken body from the cart.

  Within the wall at the side of the track was a well with a crumbling stone shelf. It had been used as a meeting place and land mark for many years and now it was to be the temporary resting place of the disgusting advocate of the Barretts. In a repeat of the manoeuvre to load the body, it was raised and moved clear towards the bank. In no time at all, the carcass was lowered onto the stones rimming the well. A fresh contingent of young men lifted the body and at Niall’s command, Dermot was dropped into the water headfirst. Niall spat onto the soles of his naked feet and threw in Dermot’s walking stick, as a gesture of his loathing. The well was covered over with bracken to temporarily conceal the evidence.

  ‘I baptise this devil in this tobber (well) with a new name. Let him be known as Sgornach Bhuid Bhearrtha.’

  The young men cheered and laughed at the new name of the man the community had hated for so long.

  ‘Let this tobber also be known as Tobber Sgornach Bhuid Bhearrtha. May this devil be united with his master and pay the price of unending sin with eternal damnation.’

  This, they hoped was the closure the whole community had needed after the years of disrespect and abuse by Dermot. The well would eventually become abandoned due to superstition and myth.

  In the village, Molly was being comforted by family and women folk. Her distress was evident. She was now silent, shocked as well as suffering in great pain. She had endured the agony of needles to provide several stitches in her flesh to ensure that her nipple healed. When Niall gave her the news that Dermot had been killed and his body hidden, it made no impact on her sad face. She did not want revenge and death. She wanted it to have been nothing more than a dream. Molly looked at Niall with sad eyes.

  ‘Niall, he was a loathsome evil man, but I take no comfort in the revenge and the news of his murder.’

  ‘I understand, Molly. At first, we were all pleased, but we are now much sobered from the event. He was a disgusting and evil man, sent by the devil who only hated the likes of us. If he hadn’t chosen you, he would have selected some other soul to torment. It was not just a case that he defiled you, but he had tortured and mocked us all for many years.’

  There was a great deal of gossiping and chatter at the stalls and inns, but a feeling of dread now ran through most people. A feeling that this was not the end of the matter and that somehow, once the truth was revealed, the clan would be held to account.

  Trouble from Truth

  The next day, the Lynotts convened for a Nemed meeting on recent events. This time, the meeting was to be secret and Thomas Lynott stood up to lead the proceedings.

  ‘My clan, friends and family, it is with great concern that we meet here today and attempt to find a solution to the heavy problems giving burden to our people. Soon, the Barretts will come to seek Dermot. They will seek to ascertain where he is and what fate has ensued. He was after all, on business for them and will have been reported missing by friends or family if that vile bastard had any.’

  The audience jeered as Dermot’s new name was repeated. Thomas pulled his sword from a thick leather waist belt and struck the table to demand silence.

  ‘Yesterday, every man and boy of this townland was either innocent or was a murderer. We therefore call to decide how our community will defend charges that the Barretts may procure.’

  Niall stood up and spoke to the room with his chin high and his voice projecting across the audience.

  ‘But when all men here each dealt blows, there cannot be one murderer. The murderer cannot be established under either Brehon law or that of the English Queen.’

  ‘Aye,’ said Thomas. ‘But once the truth is told, who will be here to establish the law and to justify us? The Queen has little influence over the politics in these parts, even less so, when it is of a matter of local issue. The Lord Deputy will have little power to administer justice, until raised to his attention. And what man here would do that? The Barretts will come down on us like a plague and inflict great penance on us, I am sure. Yesterday, our people were angry, we needed revenge, but we thought with our hearts and not with our heads. Each person here must deny all acquaintance of Dermot on that day. If he is found at Scraggs Well, then the Barretts may conclude that he was attacked and robbed on the road to Ballycastle.’

  Niall nodded, as the crowd looked to him for his response.

  ‘Aye, my lord, we will resolve to be silent on the subject. If he is found, then there will be nay killer for offer. We must all remain resolute and be as though we know nothing of the man other than his history. If the story does emerge, then we must all share the blame and no one man shall be guilty.’

  There was little sense of doubt emerging from the audience and no challenges from any of the village. The agreement was made.

  ‘Each man in turn should now go to church. Take the Sunday sacrament and pray to the Lord for the absolution of sins. Once confessed and forgiven, then return to your homes and go about your lives in peace.’

  The room emptied in silence. The priest gave a look of resignation to Niall and nodded to Thomas with pursed lips. They knew the next few days following would be hard for the community. How could a whole community collaborate on a huge lie without the truth emerging at some time? And what would happen if the truth is ever discovered?

  By the morning of the next day, it was becoming apparent that Dermot should by now have reported back to the elders on his progress with the Lynotts and the notice served on them. He had conducted similar meetings with towns before, but the Lynotts would be the most difficult. On the orders of MacPadine, a search was made of Dermot’s home and townland and his haunts, which included several inns and brothels (although brothels were no longer the haunt of Dermot). The search revealed no sign of Dermot, the mare or the cart that he took to Carn.

  It was established that the last contact anyone had with Dermot was the altercation that resulted in the driver breaking a bone and Dermot’s solo journey to Carn, Garranard Townlands and the Lynott people. The “beaten” driver testified that Dermot had indeed travelled to Carn alone and had not yet returned with the horse and cart.

  MacPadine was not unduly worried at this stage, but Dermot’s attitude to lower clans and his lack o
f tact had been a continual concern. Although he had no idea what had happened, he felt sure that all had not gone well for Dermot. He was rude and in an act of belligerence had set out to the townlands without escort.

  After a further two days, Richard dispatched a group of six riders to search for him, beginning with a check of the route to the Townland of Garranard and then into the town buildings to establish if he was there or if he had ever arrived.

  The six riders all dismounted and sectioned off the village, conducting a walk-through first. This was the strategy they agreed with MacPadine before they left. They resolved to refrain from speaking with any villagers until a search had been made. Physical evidence was stronger than the spoken word and would provide a test for the truth.

  As they moved through streets, yards, fields and passages, one thing became a concern for some of the men searching. Why was it that the villagers did not approach them and ask them their business? Not one man, child or woman asked. The Lynotts knew that if they did, any dialogue with these men may expose them to further questions and the risk the alibi may falter. So they all remained silent.

  To the clansmen though, it seemed that the lack of curiosity indicated the villagers knew why they were there. They must now confirm what had happened to Dermot and where he was now. The decision to consult with MacPadine was made before they continued with their next step.

  Two riders were to ride back to the chief and report their findings and suspicions. It was late now and the riders would not be back before morning. The four remaining men decided to stay at the village for the night. Although they had funds to buy water and food, they had no means of payment for rooms. They would eat at the inn and sleep in a barn.

  As they walked into the inn, it was obvious that their presence was not altogether welcome. No eye contact was made with the men. Each person spoke in murmurs to the next. Even the drunk ones spoke quietly. There was no laughter, singing, music and no acknowledgement of the presence of the Barretts. They spoke almost silently, for fear of revealing anything or being overheard.