Hi Fiona,
Thank you very much for your message. I hope that someone with information makes a connection with you and helps you to further your research.
In the meantime, have you tried looking at church records in Callan to see if you can find Thomas? birth record? Most Catholic records are held locally so you may need to write to the local parish priest for possible assistance. One website that you may find useful is the Irish Times where they give an overview of what records are available in specific parishes. It also shows you where copies of the records are available. For Callan parish, follow this link:
http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/fuses/rcparishmaps/index.cfm?fuseaction=showidrecords&CityCounty=Kilkenny&parish=Callan&churchid=973
As you can see Kilkenny Family History Society have copies available. Here is their email, however please note a fee may apply: kilkennyfamilyhistory@rothehouse.com Alternatively you could check on www.rootsirleand.ie
You could also try checking on www.familyhistory.org
You could also check for record of the family in the land records pertaining to Ireland in the 19th century. There are two:
The Tithe Applotment Books (1823-1838) found at http://titheapplotmentbooks.nationalarchives.ie/search/tab/home.jsp
and Griffith?s Valuation (1848-1864) found at http://www.askaboutireland.ie/griffith-valuation/
It may be an idea to try and find some newspaper article from the trial in Co. Tipperary to see if you can find any further information about that Thomas. There are some Tipperary Newspaper archives available here:
http://www.igp-web.com/tipperary/newspapers/index.htm
You could also try http://www.irishnewsarchive.com/
Alternatively, you could contact the Local Studies Department of Tipperary County library to see what they have available there: http://www.tipperarylibraries.ie/index.php/services/tipperary-studies/
South Tipperary Archives may also be able to help:
www.southtipparchives.ie
Some other websites that you may find useful are:
The National Archives of Ireland http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/
The National Library of Ireland http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx
Genealogy links: http://www.genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/kilkenny/index.html
From Ireland: www.from-ireland.net
Irish Genealogy tool-kit: http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/index.html
All the best,
Genealogy Support
