Chance encounter leads to book on notorious ‘miscarriage of justice’ in 18th century Youghal

A chance encounter with two Americans tracing their ancestry has prompted a book exploring a notorious ‘miscarriage of justice’ in 18th century Youghal.

Historian and retired school principal Kieran (A K) Groeger wrote The Trial and Execution of James Cotter after two young Americans spoke “somewhat proudly” of an ancestor being hanged “for being a Catholic” in 1720.

“They were shocked when I revealed he was actually hung for rape,” the writer recalls. However, Cotter’s execution was widely considered a political assassination. His death sparked riots and public outrage, fuelled sectarian bitterness and prompted attacks on Quaker communities. The book uses genealogy services and documentation records from the time to trace the story. It discovers the