The Sligo Duel

Bay of Sligo

At the start of the 19th Century, a ship was seen to flounder off the choppy seas of the Sligo coast, quite close to the Tireragh shore. A priest who witnessed the action as it unfolded quickly informed Major Hillas ~ a military man.

Hillas promptly boarded the ship, and remarkably saved it and many of the remaining crew aboard. John Fenton, another Sligo resident, also came aboard the ship. John intimidated Hillas by threatening to throw him overboard. In the end, with the help of his cousin, John took control of the vessel. Then John challenged Hillas to a duel.

It was customary to use pistols in Sligo, whenever the need for duels arose. The duel was to take place at Kilmacowen, early one morning.

Hillas, being a military man, pronounced that the laws of honour and chivalry, obliged him to defend himself with whatever force necessary. Hillas also spoke that he would bear no grudge to anyone, whatever the outcome of the duel. Hillas shot, but it was too late, as Fenton's shot had already served it's purpose. Hillas was killed instantly.

Fenton was tried but found innocent by the judge. The judge summed up by saying that in his opinion, Hillas had no reason to get involved unnecessarily, hence no other verdict than the one delivered could have been given.