James Sadleir facts for kids

James Sadleir (born around 1815 – died 4 June 1881) was a politician in the United Kingdom. He was a Member of Parliament (MP). He is mostly known for being one of the few MPs ever removed from the British House of Commons.

James Sadleir grew up in Shrone Hill, County Tipperary, Ireland. His father, Clement William Sadleir, was a farmer. His mother's father was a local banker. James had a brother named John. Both brothers were involved with the Tipperary Joint Stock Bank. John was also an MP for Carlow starting in 1847.

Becoming a Politician

James Sadleir was asked to run for Parliament. He was asked to be a candidate for the Whig party. This was for the Tipperary area in the 1852 election.

He first said no, but later agreed to run. The current MP, Nicholas Maher, officially nominated him. James Sadleir was elected easily.

He supported the idea of treating all religions equally in Ireland. His brother, John, worked in the government for a short time. John resigned after being linked to a problem with the Tipperary Joint Stock Bank.

Bank Problems Investigated

James Sadleir was the chairman and managing director of the Tipperary Joint Stock Bank. On February 29, a person who had lent money to the bank sued him. They wanted to get back a large sum of money.

People thought James Sadleir would have to deal with the bank's failure. The Times newspaper reported that many people felt sorry for him. They thought he was already ruined. Other people who had lent money to the bank quickly tried to get their money back from him.

At first, a court said the bank managers were not responsible. But this decision was soon changed. The court investigations found letters from John to James. These letters showed James was involved in planning the problems. However, James Sadleir disappeared on June 17.

People wondered why he had not been charged with any crimes yet. Any sympathy for him had disappeared. Charges were finally brought against him on July 18.

Removed from Parliament

No one was sure where James Sadleir had gone. In September, a newspaper in Carlow said the police were looking in the wrong place. They were looking in New Orleans, but he had gone to South America.

By February 1857, everyone had lost patience. The Attorney-General for Ireland successfully asked for Sadleir to be removed from Parliament. This was because he had not turned himself in for his arrest warrants.

During the discussion, a letter was read. It said Sadleir was in Paris and ate dinner there every day. He was removed from the House of Commons on February 16. His properties and his wife's properties were taken by those he owed money to and then sold.

Later Life and Death

On May 13, a letter from Sadleir was published. It was posted from Paris. In the letter, he said he was not involved in the bank problems. He claimed he had told on his brother when he found out what he was doing.

This explanation was quickly challenged by his cousin, James Scully. Scully was also involved in the scandal. He called James Sadleir a "notorious culprit." Sadleir was supported by money paid by his wife's family, the Wheatleys.

He never returned to face justice. In 1861, he moved to Switzerland. He lived in Geneva and then in Zürich.

Twenty years later, Sadleir was taking his usual walk up the Zürichberg hill. He met a thief who tried to steal his gold watch. He fought back and was shot dead. His body was hidden in the bushes next to the path. It was found a week later. His funeral was well-attended.