Francis Magan

Francis Magan (24 May 1774 – 1843) was a barrister and the informer who procured the death of Lord Edward Fitzgerald through felon-setting. Early life He was born on 24 May 1774 in Dublin, descended from an ancient Catholic family from County Westmeath, the Magans of Umma-more (Emoe). His grandfather, James Magan, established a medical practice in Dublin, where he was succeeded by his eldest son, Richard. Thomas Magan, James's second son, became a woollen draper, establishing himself at 49 High Street, Dublin. Active politically, Thomas represented Dundalk at the Catholic Convention of 1792. He was named wool draper and mercer to King George III in 1794, an honorary title he probably owed to his friend Francis Higgins, a notorious scoundrel known as the "Sham Squire", owner of a well-known government "print" (newspaper), The Freeman's Journal. Magan was admitted to Trinity College, Dublin in 1788, although he did not attend before 1791. He joined the College Historical Society but was never active. In May 1794, he signed the oath of loyalty to the British monarch required of any Catholic barrister and went to London to study at Lincoln's Inn. Career Returning to Dublin in 1796, he was admitted to the Irish Bar, the King's Inns, in Michelmas term. The published records of the King's Inns state that he had been employed in the Irish revenue service.