Lawrence Kavenagh

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Lawrence Kavanagh
Born 1805
Waterford, Ireland
Died 12 October 1846
Norfolk Island
Conviction(s) Robbery
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Lawrence Kavanagh (c. 1805–12 October 1846) was a convict bushranger known for escaping from Port Arthur, Van Diemen's Land (the so-called escape proof colony) with Martin Cash and George Jones.

Born in Waterford, Ireland, he was convicted for burglary and sentenced to penal transportation for life. He arrived on the Ferguson in 1829 at Sydney. After committing many offences he was sent to Norfolk Island where he received a total of 180 lashes for insolence and attempted escape. In 1842 he escaped and returned to Sydney. There Kavanagh fired on two men who recognized him while on the run. He was captured and sentenced to Port Arthur for attempted murder.

On Boxing Day 1842 Lawrence Kavanagh, Martin Cash and George Jones absconded from a work party. Hiding in dense scrubland and with little food they made their way 15 km to the neck. Swimming with their clothes tied in bundles above their heads, they made it to the other side but all three of them lost their bundles. Now naked, the trio robbed a road gang's hut for clothing, and began a twenty month spree of bushranging and robbing mail coaches, homesteads and inns.

Kavanagh and Cash eventually made their way to Hobart. After another gunfight the pair were captured. Cash was found guilty of murder and Kavanagh of robbing a mailcoach, both were sentenced to death.

A last-minute reprieve saw the men sent to Norfolk Island. Although Cash reformed, Kavanagh was soon back to crime, joining several others in a mutiny which led to the deaths of two men.

Lawrence Kavanagh was finally hanged on 12 October 1846. He is buried on Norfolk Island and is discussed on the islands tours.

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