This interference with the rule of succession was highly displeasing to the descendants of Eoghan, and they represented that Conall Corc, grandson of Ailill Flann beg, was the rightful successor to Lugaid.
Conall eachluath, being a just man, thereupon consented willingly to refer the matter of the election to the judgment of an assembly of the chieftains of Leth-Mogha.
Crimthan had such implicit confidence in Connal that he handed over to his care the many hostages he had taken, because, we are told, he felt that he could “ rely on the integrity of a prince who delivered up the possession of a crown that he was able to defend, for no other reason but because he had no right to it” In a poem contained in the “ Psalter of Cashel,” referring to Crimthan, it is said that:— Numerous captives be in triumph led And hostages, the bonds of true submission, These pledges and the prisoners of his wars He trusted in the hands of the brave Connal: Than whom a prince of more integrity And stricter justice never wore a crown; This prince for arms and martial skill renowned.
[4] During his reign the men of Connachta made strenuous efforts to recover the territory beyond the Sinainn conquered by Lugaid menn; and Enna, in order that his forces might be free to oppose such attempts, was constrained to effect a compromise with the race of Eoghan.
It was therefore agreed between them that the Dal-gCais and their posterity should rest content with their patrimonial inheritance of Tuadh-Mumha, and should surrender any claims over Des-Mumha to which they might become entitled when elected to rule over the whole province.