 In pastorals and public speeches he ranged himself against agitation and on the side of government and law, with the result that Nationalist newspapers and public men attacked him as a "Castle" bishop, who favoured coercion and was an enemy of the people.His life was threatened and for a time he was under the protection of the police.MacCabe died at his home in Dun Laoghaire on 11 February 1885.