Letter from James Joseph Duignan and Timothy Murray to George Ormsbry, 25 May 1916 Letters 1916-1923 James Joseph Duignan

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A letter from James Joseph Duignan (b.1884) and Timothy Murray (1857-1923), secretaries for Carrick-on-Shannon district, to George Ormsrby (1855-1938), lord lieutenant of Leitrim. The letter concerns the town of Carrick-on-Shannon and the effect of the war on its economy. It states that the population has dropped from 1,000 to 850 due to recruitment for the war. The men state that the middle landlords are extorting their tenants for rents that they are unable to pay due to the economic depression. The tenants are being threatened with writs for rent that is not due for two months, the letter refers to one which had been enclosed. The letter ends stating the area's loyalty, citing the fact that only two arrests were made when the military arrived in the town after the Easter Rising, both of whom where released within minutes. The enclosure is written to a Mr Bernard Bennett and calls for his payment of rent, with threat of summons.

 National Archives of Ireland Chief Secretary's Office Registered Papers, CSO RP/1916/5612/9279/1 https://letters1916.ie/item/198 English James Joseph Duignan 1916-05-25 Carrick-on Shannon, County Leitrim, Ireland George Ormsbry Male World War I (1914-1918) Country and City Life

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 Ack Irish Office Miss Stevenson CARRICK-ON-SHANNON, COUNTY LEITRIM, 25th MAY, 1916. The Right Honble. Lord George, We the Town Tenants of Carrick-on-Shannon, a small town of originally 1000 inhabitants but, owing to the War now only 850. This town has sent close on 300 Soldiers to the colours, reservists, volunteers, &c. As you are aware this causes a great depression in trade generally. This town as like many othersis, is, in the hands of middle Landlords, who are only too anxious to extort their Rack Rents from Tenants that are suffering from the depression in trade caused by the War. Their burden has been borne in silence but owing to the causes mentioned, the local Landlords have become unbearable not content with their rents being paid when due, we are threatened with Writs for rent not due for two months, as an instance of this we enclose you a specimen received by one of our tenants. We would respectfully ask you to look into this matter specially, we are confident that you will be able to suggest some means to keep us over these oppressive war times. As an instance of the loyalty we have, we may mention that on the visit of the Military to our Town a few weeks ago, only two arrests were made on suspicion, these were liberated in a few minutes. James J Duignan Timothy MurraySecretaries HFor a report please on this matter. W 1-6-16 To J. Carrick on Shannon for report W N O'ConnellS.H. 2/6/16 JAMES A. KIERNAN, Solicitor DUBLIN OFFICE. 12. Dame Street Ballinamore Co.Leitrim 22nd May 1916 Mr. Lernard Bennett, Carrick. Walshe Estate Sir, Unless I receive payment of rent due by you to the 1st May last by return of post, my instructions are to issue Writs of Summons forthwith for recovery thereof. All the other tenants have paid their rents and I cannot allow you to go into arrear. Your obedient servant, Kiernan Carrick-on Shannon, County Leitrim, Ireland Letter from James Joseph Duignan and Timothy Murray to George Ormsbry, 25 May 1916 James Joseph Duignan Letter from James Joseph Duignan and Timothy Murray to George Ormsbry, 25 May 1916