June 9th, 1846 In west Waterford a man dies of starvation surrounded by his seven children crying for food. Two men give 2s 6d each to buy a coffin for Mr Fitzgerald.
The Waterford Freeman asks "How long will the noblest of God's creatures, honest men, be doomed to want food and to famish in the midst of plenty in their own nature blessed, but misruled country?"
The Freeman's Journal comments. "As we penetrate the summer the diminishing resources of the country become too apparent, and the sharp cry of distress rings harshly and imploringly on the ear.
"We read of death by starvation in Dungarvan ... of distress spreading to a frightful extent in Mayo and Kilkenny so intense and sudden in the latter county that the farmers generously, and on the spot, contributed £30, and the landlords nothing."
Thousands are seeking employment on the public works. The rector of Killeshandra, Co Cavan, complains to the Relief Commissioners that the works tickets sent to him excluded the poorest labourers.
In Kilkee, Co Clare, the rector deplores the arbitrary power of gangers. The Rev James Martin encloses a petition from a labourer, James Carrig.
The petitioner was dismissed, apparently because he worked one day for a man who "gave him a basket of black potatoes for his little children ... Then when petr. was murmuring for having him dismissed, Sullivan [the overseer] desired him to go to the priest and that if he gave him a ticket he would take him in the work, which petr. did obtain from the priest and got one day's work afterwards.
"Your petr. having pawned his coat for which he only got 2s to buy provisions for his family. And that himself and them are living these three days back on one meal a day. Your petr. is surprised that any committee would allow this imposter Sullivan to go on in this manner when they have a power to discontinue such infernal practice."
June 15th. In Co Cavan on the fair day of Kilnaleck, a notice is posted on trees warning against buying potatoes' and taking them to Co Meath. The inspector of police suggests that he not to interfere in regulating "the market rates.
Capt Gordon reports that large quantities of potatoes are in the possession of landed proprietors and extensive farmers in Co Meath, but they are sent mostly to the Dublin market. The poor cannot plant much potatoes because they have only half the supply of last year.
Moreover, "the con acre system is given up this year by landlords, so that no ground can be procured by those poor that have seed, because the landlord is afraid that the crop may again fail."