4 April 1798: The imposition of 13 death sentences in Longford and 11 in Carlow fits the trend of improved conviction rates at the assizes. These are assessed in the context of dramatic failures in key sectors such as Wicklow, where the credibility of prime witness John Cooper collapses under cross-examination. "Cooper" admits being a returned convict named Morgan. As a result bail is granted to over 100 suspects committed for trial by the Rev Charles Cope, Hunter Gowan and Henry Moreton. An appearance at Wexford assizes is cancelled and when his carriage is stoned passing through Bray, it is recommended the Coopers be housed in the Provost Prison until they can emigrate.
The extent of this judicial reverse can be gauged from the conviction of just four Wicklow rebels and by the seeming indifference of their comrades to martial law. Indeed, Faulkner's Dublin Journal reports on 29 March that 60 men attacked the home of county treasurer Abraham Critchley, causing an alert in nearby Rathdrum. They fled when challenged by local yeomen but killed two soldiers as they withdrew. This comes in the same week in which the residence of William Patrickson, a conservative politician and Blessington yeomanry officer, was robbed of arms and vandalised. It is noted, however, that a wealthy Newtownmountkennedy miller, Richard O'Reilly, has been brought a prisoner to the capital on suspicion of treason. He is related to the imprisoned William Michael Byrne and was seized on his way to confer with Wexford radical Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey.
The government's long-awaited response to the deteriorating state of security is released for printing by the Privy Council at midnight on the 30th. It refers to the "traitorous conspiracy existing within this kingdom" and announces that the army has been ordered to use "the utmost vigour and decision, for the immediate suppression, thereof" and "to disarm the rebels by the most summary and effectual measures".
Castlereagh instructs Gen Abercromby to "crush the rebellion" in Kildare, Tipperary, Limerick, Cork, King's County, Queen's County, Kilkenny and "in such others as shall become disturbed". This carte blanche is the harbinger of unrestricted state terror and is queried by the disenchanted Abercromby on 1 April. His comments elicit immediate clarification that the district commanders should "quarter troops wherever they may judge necessary", "demand forage and provisions", "hold courts-martial for the trial and punishment of offenders" and issue proclamations.
These orders precipitate fresh deployments. The 89th Foot, Louth and Leitrim militia are bound for Limerick and the Cork/Tipperary border, while detachments of the Longford regiment have left Limerick city for Bruff, Castleconnell and Newport (Tipperary). Fifty of the Earl of Roden's "fox hunters" cavalry under captains Lidwell and Baldwin are going to Tipperary, while two Donegal militia companies will serve in Carrick-on-Suir and Kilmacthomas (Waterford). Four 12-pounder cannons have been sent from the Castle Stores to Enniskillen (Fermanagh), as fresh arms raids and skirmishes are reported in Shannonbridge (Galway), Gowran (Kilkenny), Ballrath (Westmeath) and Killaloe (Clare).
An English correspondent reports that 350 Irish recruits have arrived at Chatham army depot from Sheerness: "mostly . . . lads under 18 and some do not appear more than 13 years old".