Thomas Dineen

Thomas Dineen lived in Redan (1867-1898) and worked as a miner.

History
Thomas Dineen was born in 1867, the third child of John Dineen and Ellen Walsh.

His younger brother, Patrick Dineen, was drowned in one of the Redan quarries on 8 March, 1884.

He was listed in the Victorian Police Gazette as being wanted in February 1886: "A warrant of commitment has been issued by the Lillimur North Bench against Thomas Williams, alias Dineen, in default of payment of £1 2s 6d, fine and costs, for insulting behavior. Description:- Native of Ballarat, 19 or 20 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, stout build, darkish complexion, brown hair, full face (no hair on it), round features; wore dark sac-coat, coloured moleskin trousers, dark soft-felt hat. Was recently driving horses, and passed under the name of Dineen. O.679, 30th January 1886."

In March 1888 Thomas was fined for fighting: "The next prisoners placed at the bar were John Fountain, Thomas Dineen, John Butler, and Robert Ryan, who were charged with fighting in the public street on Saturday night. The evidence showed that the exhibition was a disgraceful one, and that by it the feelings of respectable persons who were passing along the street at the time were shocked. Each offender was fined 5s, in default two days’ imprisonment."

In December 1890 a warrant was issued in Ballarat for his arrest: "A warrant of commitment has been issued by the Ballarat Bench against Thomas Dineen for a month's imprisonment, in default of payment of £5 15s 3d, fine and costs, for throwing stones. Description: - Native of Ballarat, labourer, sometimes works on farms, but generally prefers railway contracts, 22 years of age, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, stout build, swarthy complexion, dark hair, small dark moustache only; wore grey tweed suit and grey soft-felt hat. O. 10999, 25th December, 1890."

His father died on 8 February 1891.

In July 1891, he was arrested by the Redan police on the stone throwing warrant issued in December 1890. He was also charged with resisting arrest by Constable Stewart, and fined £1.

In September 1894, just a month after his older brother Michael's death, Thomas was arrested in Skipton Street: "Thomas Dineen, charged with using obscene language in Skipton street, pleaded guilty. A fine of 40s or three days imprisonment was imposed."

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 Thomas was sent to prison following some disturbing acts of violence towards 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."

He was released from the Ballarat Gaol in April 1896.

He died on 15 November 1898 and is buried in the Ballarat New Cemetery, Roman Catholic A, Section 15, Grave 15.