Collier to be paraded to St Patrick's Day 'trial' in Trim

The public trial of Michael 'Mad Dog' Collier, otherwise known as 'Collier The Robber' is to be re-enacted at Market Square, Trim, on St Patrick's Day. Security will be tight for the trial and Collier will be paraded through the streets of the town in chains, escorted by a company of Dragoons. The Honourable Mr Justice Downes, of his Majesty's Court of King's Bench in Ireland, will preside at the Lent Assizes in Trim. The trial is being held in public due to the notoriety of the accused and the recent drive by the Crown forces to stamp out hold-ups by tories, raparees and highwaymen. Collier (31), a native of Bellewstown, will be represented by Mr John P Curran while the finest legal brain in the land, Mr R Saurin, QC, will represent the Crown. Collier is charged with murder, highway robbery and the theft of an emerald necklace valued at £200 during the ambush of the coach of Robert and Jane Dyas, Rathnally House, Trim, last month. His arrest and detention follows an extensive search with a reward of 1,000 gns offered on behalf of the Crown by Norman Strong, Magistrate of South Meath Riding. Aoife Farrelly of the Scurlogstown Olympiad group for the St Patrick's Day Parade, said: "We're expecting that a considerable crowd will be in attendance for this trial as Collier is a well-recognised and renowned local figure." It is widely believed that Collier was responsible for the recent ambush of the Dublin Mail Coach. Crown sources believe that Collier carried out this ambush alone and that what was originally thought to have been a small army of men in the dense foliage outside The Naul was, in fact, the ingenious Collier who had placed hats on poles in the undergrowth. Collier is thought to have run along the line of his be-hatted 'gang' and fired shots from various directions. The officers, thinking themselves outnumbered, surrendered their weapons. Meanwhile, a local Summerhill widow, who did not wish to be named, told of how Mr Collier assisted her recently in dealing with a substantial debt of £100 which was due to her landlord. Her eviction was imminent until Collier promised to loan her the money in question. It is not known whether there is a link with the attack on an agent and sub-sheriff at Summerhill last month where they were relieved of £300. This lady is intent on showing her support for her hero tomorrow in Trim Square. If convicted, Collier is expected to be executed at the Gallow's Hill, Newhaggard Road, Trim, on Friday morning. Anyone who wishes to attend the trial should take their place before the 3pm sitting of the Lent Assizes at Market Square, Trim.