People, Place and Power – The Grand Jury System in Ireland

19 The County Establishment Each grand jury required a secretary to deal with the administration of the county and its grand jury, and a treasurer to receive money collected by the collectors of the cess, or local tax, and to pay contractors. The secretary was a key point of contact between the county and the administration. All counties appointed a conservator, or roads inspector (from 1817 his tasks were incorporated into the new office of county surveyor 12 ), a gaoler, paid out of county funds, and chaplains, to look after the moral wellbeing of prisoners. 13 Before 1810 chaplains were ministers of the Established Church, but the Prisons (Ireland) Act of that year allowed for Protestant Dissenting and Catholic chaplains to be appointed. 14 Beyond the jurisdiction reserved to the grand juries, each county also employed judicial officers. These included a Clerk of the Crown, who operated as the clerk of the Assize Court (which comprised judges of the higher courts on circuit), and who also served as the secretary to the grand jury for criminal business 15 ; and a Clerk of the Peace, who organised Quarter Sessions, the court immediately below the Assizes, held four times each year. 16 Below the county in the Irish administrative hierarchy came the barony, each with its high constable assisted (from 1783-4) by sub-constables. 17 The high constable was responsible for arresting suspected criminals, for transporting prisoners to and from gaols and court sessions, and for collecting charges, including the county and barony cesses. The strength of the Irish language in many areas, particularly in pre-Famine times, meant that most counties appointed interpreters so that Irish speaking prisoners could engage with the court. These various officers were vital to the efficient running of a county, but they rarely feature in modern historical works. Fortunately, their names and tasks can often be traced in presentment books and other grand jury records, which will be introduced and explained in the second part of this guide. Photograph of William Colgate, County Louth Treasurer Courtesy of Louth County Archives Service