Blundell had been drinking at the Ship Inn Freckleton
In 1865 a number of labourers were employed by the Ribble Navigation Company in the forming of an embankment in the estuary of the river Ribble at Freckleton.
Amongst them were a strongly built fellow, named Thomas Blundell, and two Irishmen, named Thomas and John Coughlan. Blundell, who lodged in Freckleton, had often been in trouble whilst living there, but he had always managed to talk his way out of it before having to face the magistrates.
However, on the second Monday of April 1865, after drinking at the Ship Inn and Coach & Horses, he went to the place where the Coughlan’s were lodging. After being greeted by them he was asked to pay for some beer, but refused to do so. A quarrel ensued and he was turned out of the house. Whilst outside someone dealt him a blow on the face, and as he was about to retaliate Thomas Coughlan pushed him aside.