On Sunday last, a faction fight on an extensive scale took place in Clonbrock, Queen’s Co., which happily did not terminate in any serious result owing to the timely interference of the Newtown constabulary.  It appears that two parties of colliers for some time had entertained bad feeling towards each other, arising from personal motives or jealousy, and in accordance with the custom of former days, they mutually agreed to try the issue by a regular engagement.

The leaders, on both sides having marshaled their respective followers on Sunday they met at Clonbrock. In numbers varying from two to three hundred men armed with sticks, when a regular battle ensued and continued without intermission until the arrival of the constabulary, who promptly interfered and arrested the leader, a man named Hackett, who rivals “Sullivan the Ranter” in faction fight celebrity. The promptitude and decision of the police, with the assistance of the Rev. Mr. Kelly, P.P., put an end to this novel engagement but not until both parties sustained several injuries in the conflict.

Twenty three of the combatants were summoned to Ballickmoyler Petty Sessions on Wednesday, when the bench ordered informations against the principals – ‘Carlow Sentinel’
The King’s Co. Chronicle
Vol. 1 No. 3
Wednesday, Oct 6th, 1845