The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-08 00:00:00

THE CONVICT KIRWAN -A NEW CITARGE.

Tois wretched man remains in the hospital of Kil-
mainham prison, his removal to the convict depot at
Spike Island having been delayed by the medical reports
placed before the Government.- It appears, however,
that a new charge have been preferred against him, under
very mysterious circumstances. The Evening Packet
says:—

" Yesterday the magistrates of the head-office of po-
lice were engaged in the preliminary investigation of a
charge of a most serious character against the convict
Kirwan. We understand that it amounts to murder.
An artist named Boyer, who had been on intimate terms
with Kirwan, disappeared from Dublin in a most mys-
terious manner some years ago. His wife has tendered
evidence calculated to criminate this wretched culprit in
his disappearance."
The following additional particulars appeared in the
Freeman's Journal :
" The above charge has been the subject of public
rumour and gossip since the proceedings were taken on
the part of the Crown to discover and seize the property-
of the convict after his sentence. The story in circula-
tion, whatever be its accuracy, run thus :—Mro. Boyer,
who had been receiving an annuity of 401. per annum
from Kirwan for some years, came forward and claimed
the house in which he had been living, in Merrion-
street, together with other houses, and a-large portion
of the furniture, pictures, and ornaments, on the ground
that Kirwan, who had become a constant companion of
her husband, whose property they were, had obtained
possession of them from him—that her husband sud-
denly and mysteriously disappeared—and that Kirwan
had a deed whereby, as he alleged, her husband
had made over all his property to him, but that he
agreed to pay to Mrs. Boyer the sum of 401. per annum
during her life. She, not being in a condition to test
the point, was obliged to accept the arrangement ; but
when his conviction at once stopped her annuity, and
seized all that was his at the time to the use of the
Crown, she threw herself upon the justice and mercy
of the law officers to regain possession of what was hers
by right. The examination into the truth or falsehood
of her strange story has led them step by step to the in-
vestigation which is now pending ; and, if rumour speaks
truly, there will be even further investigations into other
mysterious matters connected with the career of the
culprit."
The following is from the Dublin correspondent of the
Limerick and Clare Examiner:—

"Now that there no longer exists a doubt of the com-
mutation of the sentence of this man, there can be no in-
justice done him by the mention of a passage or two in
his previous life, which would not be so appropriate if
his position were unchanged. Some four or five years
ago Mr. Kirwan induced a young and interesting girl,
of respectable connections here, to abandon her home
and accompany him to England, where they lived for
some time together. After tho eagerness of appetite
passed, the unfortunate creature was abandoned in Liver-
pool. I have not learned what her fate was since he re-
turned to Dublin. After his return he was met by the
brother of his victim, who attacked him and gave him a
tremendous beating, by which he was prevented for a con-
siderable time from appearing in public. So soon as he was
recovered, however, he summoned his assailant be-
fore the magistrates, for the assault. The pro-
vocation, however, transpired before the magistrates,
who, after a not very complimentary comment on his
conduct, dismissed the charge. Much stress has been
laid, in the consideration of the circumstances of this
man's case, upon the fact that it had not been proved
on the trial that the deceased lady was aware of the'
existence of the other party who shared or owned Kir-
wan's affections. There was evidence given to show that
Mrs. Kirwan called at the house kept by her husband at
Sandymount. But there could have been, I understand,
further evidence given of the same fact, for I understand
that Mrs. Kirwan traced her husband to a house at the
north side of the city, where either this woman (now Mrs.
Kirwan) or some other woman resided—that she found
them together, and that this was previous to his tenancy
of the house at Sandymount."
Informations were sworn yesterday at the Head Po-
lice-office against Kirwan, for the murder of a man named
Boyer some years ago.
Kirwan is to be transferred to Spike Island to-day.