THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: Hotelier brings legal case against election agent

Messrs Norton and Co, proprietors of the George Hotel in Rathfriland, took legal recourse at Newry Quarter Sessions against Mr Patrick Doyle, a solicitor, of Banbridge to recover the sum of £6 15s 9d, alleged to be due to the hotel for the hire of a yard attached the hotel in connection with a recent election.

Mr Titus Sheridan, the manager of the hotel, was examined and said that he recollected the occasion of the County Down election.

He said at that time Mr Hudson and another gentleman came to him and asked him if they could use the yard for a meeting of Mr Andrews’ supporters.

He told the men that “very likely there would be a row” and he asked for some guarantee.

It was then that Mr Doyle, the conducting agent, gave him a written guarantee that he would be held responsible for any damage.

Unfortunately for Mr Sheridan he had lost the guarantee and could not produce it at the sessions.

On his part Mr Doyle told the sessions that as the agent for Mr Andrews he had been contact with Mr Sheridan.

He admitted that he had signed a guarantee that said he would pay for any damage caused to the yard but he said there was no agreement to pay for the use of the yard itself.

His Worship, Robert Johnson, QC, directed that the case be struck out as Mr Doyle agreed to pay his part of the bill in court of £3 15s 9d.