Ellen Dineen

Ellen Dineen was a Redan resident <1900.

History
Ellen Walsh was born in Limerick, Ireland, in 1845. married John Dineen in Ballarat on 20 August 1864. They had twins, Michael and Mary Ellen, born in 1865. Mary Ellen died in 1866. A son, Thomas, was born in 1867. A daughter, Georgina, was born in 1871. Son John as born in 1873, and Maurice in 1874.

They had twins, Ellen and Patrick born in 1877 in Ballarat East. Ellen died in March 1878.

Patrick was drowned in the Redan quarries on 8 March 1884: "Two boys, named Dineen and Letcher, have been drowned in the Redan Quarry, Ballarat, where they were crayfishing." "A melancholy occurrence took place in Ballarat South, on Saturday afternoon. Two boys, named John T. Letcher and Patrick Dineen, aged respectively 7 and 8 years, were angling for crayfish, in the Redan quarry holes, in which there was about 12 feet of water. The boy Letcher stumbled at the edge of edge of the holes and tumbled into the water, dragging Dineen, who was standing close by, in with him. It was reported that young Dineen's brother, who witnessed the boys fall into the hole, called to a man who was passing in a cart to give help to rescue the drowning boys, but no notice was taken of the calls for assistance. The bodies of the poor lads were recovered shortly after the lamentable occurrence, but life was extinct."

Her son John also died in 1884. Daughter Margaret Imelda was born in 1879, and Mary Gertrude in 1882.

In March 1888 her son Thomas was fined for fighting.

Her husband John died on 8 February 1891.

In July 1891, Thomas was charged with resisting arrest by Constable Stewart, and fined £1.

Her son Michael died on 6 August 1894. A month later her son Thomas was arrested in Skipton Street for using obscene language.

Thomas was arrested again for drunkenness four weeks later: "Thomas Dineen was charged with being drunk in Adair street on Sunday, and also with using obscene language. The accused, who was given a very bad character, was fined 20s or 14 days imprisonment on the first charge, and £2 or one month’s imprisonment on the second. The defendant was warned that if he ever came before the court again he would be very severely dealt with."

In October 1895 her son Thomas was sent to prison following some disturbing acts of domestic violence against his mother: "A young man named Thomas Dineen was charged with being an idle and disorderly person. Mrs Dineen, mother of the accused, stated that her son had not worked for about 10 months, and expected her to support him. He was very violent at times, and a few days ago he threw a bucket of water over her. He had also threatened to put a match to her. Miss Dineen also gave evidence, and said she was afraid of her brother, who when in a temper would strike anybody. Constable Stallard, who arrested the accused, stated that he knew the man to be a dangerous character. He believed that the prisoner was in bad health. Dineen, in defence, said he was too ill to work. The magistrates imposed a sentence of six months imprisonment, and told the prisoner that he would receive any necessary medical treatment."

Her daughter Georgina died in 1896, and her son Thomas in 1898.

Ellen died on 4 July 1900: "The funeral of the late Mrs Ellen Dineen, of Darling street, Ballarat West, took place on Thursday last. The remains were interred in the Ballarat New Cemetery. The funeral was largely attended. The coffin-bearers were Messrs. J. and M. Ryan, R. Lane, and J. Morley; and the pall-bearers were Messrs J. Condon, J. Manning, J. C. Manning, A. Connaughton, H. Victor, J. Barry, J. Ryan, and Mr Lake. The service at the grave was conducted by the Rev. Father Keneally, and Mr Steve Willington was the undertaker."

In her will she left her estate (less than £150) to be shared equally by her two daughters, Margaret and Mary.