Frazer, MSS. 2/465/21, vol. 1, and 2, National Archive. The information submitted by the government informer Fr. Michael McPhillips by letter dated 2 November 1795, states that he had a meeting with Anthony Daly, a miller from Longwood, who was the chief Defender in County Meath in that year. Fr. McPhillips, a Franciscan friar from Sligo, endeavoured in every way to infiltrate the Defenders in the counties Meath, Louth, Down and Antrim. Some months later his life was brought to an untimely end as a result of being unmasked by the Society of United Irishmen in Belfast, where his remains were discovered and taken from the river Lagan.
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