Above: The English Viceroy

The Lord Deputy was somewhat uncertain what course the Earl of Desmond would adopt. In order to encourage him to persevere in loyalty, he sent to him two English officials named Davells and Carter. These men were resting for the night at an inn near Tralee, when the younger brothers of Desmond, John and James Fitzgerald, forced their way into the house and slew them in cold blood. After this they betook themselves with their followers to their cousin, James Fitzmaurice, who expressed great indignation at the atrocious and perfectly useless crime which they had committed.