Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-23 00:00:00

COUNTY TIPPERA.RY.-CLONMEL, JULY 20.

Denis Donnell and Michael Donnell were indicted for
the wilful murder of Jeremiah Ryan. at Garrinoe, on the
9th of April last. Messrs. George, Q.C., O'Hara, and E.
Pennefather prosecuted for the crown. The prisoners
were undefended. They were both verylyoung men, and
Denis of very mild appearance. Mr. George stated the
case. Patrick Burke examined : I knew the deceased;
he is dead ; he was 20 years of age ; I know the prisoners ;
I recollect the 9th of April last; I used to sleep at Gar-
rinoe at Martin Ryan's; on the 9th of April I was going
to Reardon's, who lives in the same place; I met the de-
ceased and a man named Byrne ; as we came to the pri-
soner's house the deceased shouted for Butler and Ryan ;
we had gone two or three yards, when the Donuell's
rushed out ; we ran away, and they rau after us ; they
overtook the deceased and me, for Byrne escaped ; a man
I did not know was with the prisoners ; Denis Donnell
and the strange man struck the deceased with hurleys in
the head ; he was unarmed, and I saw him get two blows
from Denis Donnell; he fell; Michael Donnell attacked
me, and I defended myself ; I ran to Martin Ryan's
house : I was pursued by the prisoners : I got into
the yard through tho gate ; the Donnells thought
to get in at the gate ; they said they would kill
usi:on; the hearth inside; they staid about three
minutes, and they then went away ; I then went
to the place where we had been attacked ; I found the
deceased lying in the dyke on his side; he was dead. To
the Judge—The dyke was nearly level with the road. To
Mr. O'Hara—We had not flung a stone at the door of the
prisoners, nor strike it with a stick. To the jury—l was
not drunk that night. To the prisoners—I took no poker
that night. To the Judge—l did not see any poker with
us that night, nor stick ; we did not pelt the door with
stones ; I know Ellen Donnell and her daughter ; they
said after the murder they would go for the police and
charge us with pelting their house ; not a stone was
thrown by us; I flung a stone at Michael Donnell when
he was drawing to hit me. To the prisor.ers—This was
about ten o'clock at night; it was a very bright night; I
do not know who was the strange man. Philip Byrne
examined—Martin Ryan, of Garrinoe, is an uncle of mine;
I know Patrick Burke, the last witness ; I know the
prisoners ; I was at Martin Ryan's en the evening of the
9th of April ; I was in company with the last witness and
the deceased, and before we reached the prisoner's house
the deceased shouted for Ryan and Butler ; when we
passed the house the prisoners came out stripped and we
ran ; I heard a stroke given I escaped into my uncle's
house ; I heard a cry, and a person bawl out for mercy,
and Jesus Christ • none of us had weapons ; I got into my
uncle's ; I saw the prisoners at the gate, but they were
kept out. To the Judv—The deceased had a fire shovel
in his sleeve that night; I do not think the last witness
was aware of his having the shovel; when we went out to
the forge I heard deceased say he would pass by in defiance.
To thejury—T'ne shovel was in the sleeve of the deceased ;
I can't say if it was found near the body; the shout of
defiance was twice repeated; I did not tell the magistrate
about the shovel. Toe Judge charged the jury, stating
that the facts reduced the crime from murder to man-
slaughter, for the deceased we;.t out of his horse prepared
to act in defiance of the prisoners, and having shouted for
his Party the others suddenly rushed out, and re-Am:manly
and cruelly deprived him of life, but the premeditation
that constituted murder was wanting. It only showed
what little o2'ence provoked to acts of blood in this
country., I,:The jury acquitted the prisoners of mat der, but
found them guilty of Judge Keogh,
manslaughter.
addressing the prisoners, said that but for the very slight
and incidental circumstance of the unfortunate young man
who lost his life having taken a fire shovel on that evenieg
and shouted when passing the door of the prisoners, the
verdict mast have b: en one of murder. The people of the
country, however, must be taught that human life was
precious, and that the severest consequences rnest follow
the taking of that life which God gave and which man
could not restore. The trifling offence gissa by the
fl-ceaaed was his shoutine as he passed the door or the
Danneles. For that he and his friends were pursued—it s
life brutally sacrificed, and when not satisfied the others
of the party were followed to a house, and threats used to
force the gate and shed their blood on the hearth. The
deceased asked for mercy in the name of Jesus Christ,
but even in that sacred name mere), was denied, The

sentence of the court was that the prisoners should be
subjected to penal servitude for the term of their natural
lives. The men burst into loud cries and wailings,
by their friends in the galleries, and were then removed.