May Eustace Sherlock, Gentleman, Petitions the Commons for Relief From the Great Oppressions He Lies Under

On this date, Eustace Sherlock, gentleman, petitions the Irish House of Commons for relief from what he describes as “great oppressions” inflicted by Maurice Annesley, a sitting Member of Parliament and Justice of the Peace.

Sherlock’s complaint initiates what becomes a protracted and complex legal and political case, emblematic of the blurred lines between judicial authority and political privilege in 18th-century Ireland.

The case reveals deeper tensions in the governance of Ireland — particularly regarding parliamentary privilege, judicial overreach, and the rights of individuals seeking redress against powerful officeholders. Because Annesley is both a justice and an MP, the case highlights the conflict of interest and limited checks on power that were typical in Anglo-Irish political life at the time.

Though many such petitions were dismissed or delayed, Sherlock’s appeal gained unusual attention, possibly due to growing discomfort among MPs themselves about the abuse of judicial power by their peers. The outcome (which varied depending on the sources and phase of the case) contributed to ongoing debates over the role of MPs as justices, and would be part of the broader reform movement that eventually led to greater separation of powers in Irish governance.