1st April 1895 (File 01)
William Simpson Examined.
Describes thurs Mar 14th
Him and Joanna were locked outside the house initially.
The front for was open to let the fairies out.
They witnessed Bridget being held over the fire and asked who she was.
Then they questioners were satisfied “they had there own”
She screamed as they forced her to drink the cure and shook her back and forth saying “away with you, come home Bridget Cleary in the name of god”
it seems they used a red hot poker to force her to take the herbs (At the bottom of the second column and top of the third, however its unclear because the bottom of the column is cut off.)
Michael tell everyone to remain until midnight.
BRIGET (before being out on the fire)
“Are you going to make a herring of me, Give me a chance”
She wasn't struggling while being held over the fire.
Apparently Will told her the police were there to calm her. And she was asking why the room was full of smoke. (I think her night dress may have been smoking a little at this stage...I’m not sure though).
Pat Boland..just asks William to confirm that he did not hold her over the fire.
FATHER RYANS EVIDENCE
Starts at Bottom of paragraph 3.
Cleary admitted to the priest and the priest went to police, he told them to keep an eye on cleary (perhaps he didnt directly tell the police because it might have been part of a religious confession) He also seems to have doubted that cleary was even telling the truth when he said they burned her.
Cleary tries to make out that 3 or four of them did it...
Theres a paragraph where they ask the priest if she took communion without swallowing it. Dont know what the lawyer is implying here. I assume this happened in the cleary house while she was sick.
6th April 1895 (File 04)
Prisoners statement, Michael Cleary Speaks
He doesnt say much other than Joanna made it all up and her and her father used to spread rumors he was having an affair. He claims Joanna even pretended she had been run over by him.
The Fathers Statement
MICHAEL
“Dont you know it is with an old witch I am sleeping”
PAT
You are not you are sleeping with my daughter.
Mary Kennedys Statement
He says he did “not care the devil about him whether he was dead or not” (regarding his father)
Also says that the cousins arent going anywhere until he doesnt he bit of business (the herbs)
“Wait boys till you see what I have put out the door”
I haven't birdgie here for the last 6 weeks”
Seems to imply he had the changeling idea even before Jack Dunne implied it, which matches with what Bridget said.
They force her to drink.
She answered Michael that she is his wife.
She dissent reply when her dad asks, so they take her to the fire.
The fire was very low, only a few embers and sticks.
Then they bring her back to bed.
Then he throws some liquid in her face, (which Mary handed to him)
He asked them (cousins I assume) to slap bridgets hands.
