26 Facts About Leonard McNally

Leonard McNally or MacNally was an Irish barrister, playwright, lyricist, founding member of the United Irishmen and spy for the British Government within Irish republican circles.

Leonard McNally was a successful lawyer in late 18th and early 19th century Dublin, and wrote a law book that was crucial in the development of the "beyond reasonable doubt" standard in criminal trials.

Leonard McNally is mainly remembered as a very important informer for the British government within the Irish revolutionary society, the United Irishmen and played a major role in the defeat of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

In return for payments from the government, McNally would betray his United Irishmen colleagues to the authorities and then, as defence counsel at their trial, secretly collaborate with the prosecution to secure a conviction.

Leonard McNally was born in Dublin in 1752, the son of a merchant and wine importer.

Leonard McNally was raised by his mother with the support of his uncle.

Leonard McNally was born into a Roman Catholic family, but at some point in the 1760s he converted to the Church of Ireland.

Leonard McNally was passionate about theatre, entirely self-educated and initially became a merchant in Bordeaux like his father.

Leonard McNally practised for a short time in London, and, while there, supplemented his income by writing plays and editing The Public Ledger.

Leonard McNally developed an expertise in the law of evidence and, in 1802, published what became a much-used textbook, The Rules of Evidence on Pleas of the Crown.

Leonard McNally became Dublin's leading radical lawyer of the day.

Leonard McNally ranked high in its leadership and acted as the organisation's chief lawyer, representing many United Irishmen in court.

In 1793, Leonard McNally was wounded in a duel with Sir Jonah Barrington, who had insulted the United Irishmen.

John O'Keeffe described Leonard McNally as having "a handsome, expressive countenance and alive sparkling eyes".

When, in 1794, a United Irishmen plot to seek aid from Revolutionary France was uncovered by the British government, Leonard McNally turned informer to save himself, although, subsequently, he received payment for his services.

From 1794, Leonard McNally systematically informed on his United Irishmen colleagues, who often gathered at his house for meetings.

Leonard McNally was considered to be one of the most damaging informers.

Leonard McNally is still remembered with opprobrium by Irish nationalists.

In 1997, the Sinn Fein newspaper, An Phoblacht in an article on Leonard McNally, described him as "undoubtedly one of the most treacherous informers of Irish history".

Leonard McNally was a successful dramatist and wrote a number of well-constructed but derivative comedies, as well as comic operas.

Leonard McNally wrote a number of songs and operettas for Covent Garden.

In London in 1787, Leonard McNally eloped with Frances I'Anson, as her father William I'Anson a solicitor, disapproved of Leonard McNally.

Frances, and her family's estate, Hill House in Richmond, Yorkshire, was the subject of a song with lyrics by Leonard McNally and composed by James Hook, Sweet Lass of Richmond Hill.

In 1799, Leonard McNally married his third wife Louisa Edgeworth, the daughter of a clergyman from County Longford, and with his third wife he had at least three sons.

The son was buried in Donnybrook, Dublin on 17 February 1820, and Leonard McNally sent a letter on 6 March 1820 to the Proprietor of 'Saunders's Newsletter' seeking damages for the severe injury caused by the circulation of his death.

In June 1820, Leonard McNally was on his deathbed, and although he had been a Protestant for most of his adult life, he sought absolution from a Roman Catholic priest, and was buried in Donnybrook on 8 June 1820.