Execution Of The Mahers F...
The Times, 1824-08-27T00:00:00

The two unhappy meni underwlent the awful termination of their existence on this earth on Thursday last (19th inst.) at the village of Cloneen, which place was selected, on the application of the G'rand Jary to the Lordn Chief Justice, a- the most suitable spot, frnm its contiguity to the scene where so many human beings were sacrificed to the deplorable system which at one time existed in that part of the country. Throughout tec whole of XVednesday the two exetmplary clergymen, the Rev. MAr. Brenlan, and the Rev. Alr. Fogarty, were engaged itn acts of devotion with the unhappy culprits, who seemed deeply impressed with the awful change which they were about to make, and paid the mnost marked attention to the ad- monitions of their spiritual instrucrors, both of whom remained witl them till 11 o'clock on that night. Early next morning (Thursdlay) crowds collected round the gaol, a report having gone abroad that tfie convicts would be led out - t eight o'clock, previous to which time strong detachments of police had arrived in town from Thurles and Cashel; anti at about eight o'clock n0 men of the 3d Dragoon Guards, under Capt. Gaddon, marched in roin ('aher, all intended as an es- cort for the men to the placeof executtion. By this thie it was known that 10 o'clock was thcl hour fixdl for the cavalcade to commence its journey: anl at a quarter past thalt hour, (the carriages being drawn Up in front of the ptison), the prisoners were led out. Williain Mafther, whoste countenance appeared lively and animated, walked with a firm step, nad reqoiredi little or no assistance to be placedi in the first carriage, in wiich he was accompanied bv the Rev. Mr. Fogarty. Darby Alaher, the other prisoner, advanced, labouring under considerable weakness, and was placed in the second carriage, in which the Rev. AlMr. Brenan took his seat; next followed, in an- other carriage, the executioner and a cons%table; and the Sub-Sheriff, Nicholas Sadlier, Eso accompanied by Captain Wilson, Chief la- gistrate, and John H Mither, Esq., of Tullamaine, in a fourth car- iaie, closed the processiori, escorted by al advanced guard of the 31 Dragoons; preceding anid around the carriages were strong de- tachments of police; and in the rear was another squadron of Dra- goons, under an officer's direction. All the necessary arrangements having been completed, the whole began to move down Gaol-lane anti Kilgiheelan-street. The scene was truly imposing. Under any circumstances, the sight of two human beings on their way to suffer for their crimes could not fail to excite deep emotion3 but in the present instance, it was doubly so, from therecollection, that the two nen in question were convicted of a crime which never can be ef- faced from our caluntry's annals, on most indisputable evidence. During the progressof the iourney to Fethard, where the cavalcade arrived at twenty minites beforc one o'clock, the prisoners werc en- gaged in acts of devotion, in which they were assisted with pb7us fervor by the clergymen, to whose hands their spiritual concerns were mntrusted. Williamn AJaher's cotirage never forsook litit-he looked at the crowd,s which assembled on the road with some earnestness, anei oin his arrival at Fethard, wliere the crowds of mpectators were contsi- derable, and where the procession halted by tie sound of trumpet, lie asked for a glass of wine, which was immediately lhanded him. Just asi he put tihe glass to his mouth he recognized a person in the crowd, to whons he nodded in tite most faimiliar manliner, and I ismled. A tumbler of water, at his own request, was handed to the other prisoner. After a fewr minutes' delay, the cavalcatde moved on slowly, and arrived at Clonieen, three miles from Fe- thard, at half-past twoo'clock. Sotne timne having been occupied in erecting the gallows, (the materials for which arrived ott the ground about twelve o'clock, under a strong escort of the 58tth re- giment, commanuzided by Captaxin Rowley), it was announced that all was ready. The unhappy men were then ledl to the sceiffold, Wil- hatm l\laier advancing first. Hfe sented to require no assistance, t and ascentled the ladder with extraordinary firmness. His coun- ten.ance wag still most animated, and he lookedl at the surrounding multitude, whde yet the executioner was tying hiis ariis and ad- jlusting the knot, with amazing fortitu le. D)uring this period the Rev. Mr. F'ogarty had been assiduously employed in adminis- teing to hin all the consolations which religion is SO well callti. lated to imnpart; and, taking advantage of so favouTable an opportu- nity, tite rev, gentleman addrnesed an admottition tothe assetbled mitititude In the Irish language. Te reverenrl gentleman then repeated sotne of the leading heads of lilt uddress in English, and particularly stated that Wt'illiani Ala- her had expressed a nost ardent desire that Itis surviving friends should not entertain the slightest spirit of hatred to those who coti- tributed to bring hiti to so unt imely ati end, however remotely con- cerned. Darby Maher, wuose sirength by this ritse nearly forsook himry, land who covered his face with h;is handkerchie6 while the gallows was erecting, was assisted by M r. Brenan at one side, ana a conista- ble at the other. His responses to the worthy clergyman, of " I,ord liave mercv upon ni m! Christ .Jesus have mercy upon me !" were mOst affecting,. and delivered in a loitd singing totie. His eyes were directed to the heavens, anti le seemed quite indifferetit tin the -cecne which presented itsell' tohisview. Ons as;cending the vcafibid, lie cast one wistful look at his residence, then in his view, (a siniall cabin on tie 8ide of the opposite mountain, with a white-washed front, and smracely visible tothenaked eye); bitt le nosooner diI so,tharl lie tturned qitiekly rontnd ; the executioner then ascended to adjust the faital knot, previous to Which the prisoner addressed a few observations to tho,se arount himl, in stubstanec that lie was perfectly resigned to die-that lie forgave tbie world, and all those who contribiited to his conviction- that hlis fiends8hould not at any thiture time visit them with iijutry, and that lie reRigned his spirit to Itis Maker with pleasuTe. I-Ic then implored the pravers of' the multitude, and in a sliert tinie after, the cars on which the two men stood were drawn away, when this world and all its cares closed on them - for ever. They died witholit a struggle. Vni. Alaher's face pointetl to the residence of the ttnfortisnate beings whose souls he contributed to send to their final account in the blossom of their lives. It is situated upwards of a mile from tCloneen, in a norti-east directioni, andl appeared as if recentiv repaired. Their bodies, after hianging the usual titiic, were cut down, anid conveyed to the Cashel ltinrmary, tinder a strong eseort of police, where they arrived the same evening. The two Ailahers wcre young unmarrien men, decertly clad in blue coats, buff waistcoats, and kerseymere small Cothes, and were cousins. It rained heavily dur- ing the execution. Ve hiad alitnest forgotten to oleceve, that there was iso declaration by the Mahers of their guilt; neither was there any thinig to showP the most distant in3inuation ot intocence on their part. Before they left the gaol, Illr. Sadlier, the acting sheriff, iti pretence of the two Romnan Catholic clergymen,and at their reluest, asked tbetii if they had any communinication to isnake, adtiiontDiing them to adhere strictly to truth in any thing they might say. 'rney tilets declared in the most solemn manner, that neither l'atrick Valsh. Thomas Ryan, nor Janses Hennessey, then in cuRtody for this offence, had any concern wvhatever in the transaction, directly or indirectly; that there were only tee men of the paty anid other particulars, I whirls none bitt Fersons immnnediately conceied in the tremendons violation cosldf tnow, and they oftered to depose to the facts on ,oaths, if permitted. This, however, was quite utmtieccssary from men m their deplorable situation; and thoutgh tliere was no actual declaration of guilt, yet it was fully admsitted by inference.-Clownmel Friday, at twelve o'clock, Jamne.s Wethe,-ill was executedl at I ancoln, for tie murder of fir. Berridge, of Brigg. he was led to the place of execution, where he did not say any thing. Vhen turned off; he etruggled for a considerable length of tme. EXECUTION OF TIlE MA HERS FOR THE BUR.Nr- I ArIG OF TUiE SIIEA.S.