The Doggart Family Genealogy

Letter to newspaper about John Cahillane butter fraud case

Cork Examiner 15 Aug 1868

Collier v. Cahillane

To the Editor of the Cork Examiner
Dingle 13 Aug 1868

Sir, - I read a report, in your paper of the 11th inst., of the above case, and in giving the evidence of the complainant, it purports to say that the firkin of butter was fraudulently made, "being filled for the greater part with a worthless compound of butter and grease, covered with a veneer of pure butter."

I beg to say that such a version of his evidence is quite incorrect. He stated a portion of it was bad butter, but nothing that justifies the above version.

I called on your correspondent here, and he denies distinctly having forwarded any such report, ad cannot account how such a gross error could have been inserted. As the case is now pending before another tribunal, I will feel much obliged by your acknowledging this error.

Such appearing in so respectable a paper as the Cork Examiner would inflict a great wrong on the defendant, and may prejudice him in obtaining the redress which he conceives he is entitled to.

In giving reports of this description, it would be better to take the evidence as furnished by your correspondent, who, being free from predudice for either party, will give it correctly.

The fact of the firkin of butter producing £2 11s clear of expenses, in the Liverpool market, where, it may be presumed, it was bored and examined, will show it was not so very bad as attempted to be represented. The butter may be of inferior quality, but that would not constitute it fraudulent.

Trusting you will insert this at your earliest convenience.

I remain, sir, your obedient servant,
ARTHUR BENNER, Attorney.
[The report as furnished was condensed, no other alteration having been made in it]