Denton and Haughton Examiner, etc. — 1883-01-27 (Denton, Greater Manchester, England)

DOUBLE EXECUTION AT GALWAY.  The last scene of the notorious Lough Mask tragedy has been witnessed at Galway Gaol, the two remaining convicts having undergone the extreme punishment meted out to them at the last Special Commission in Dublin. At the trial it was proved that Thornton Higgins (Tom) and Michael Flynn had fired shots into the two unfortunate bailiffs, near Lough Mayk, they than being the actual murderers of Lord Anlibtun's bailiff and his grandson. No hope of a commutation of the sentence of the two men had been entertained, and from the thne of their conviction they were abjured by the Rev. Father Greay., chaplain of the gaol, and his curate, the Rev. Father Newell, to prepare themselves for their doom. They were very attentive to the rev. gentlemen's ' " '  spiritual advice, and expressed penitence for their crime. The wives and near relatives of the two men visited them on four occasions. After taking farewell of their relatives both men were downcast in their demeanour, especially Thomas Higg'ns, whose wife had been confined of her first child since her husband was condemned to die. The morning at the execution was very dark, and the rain poured in a continuous and depressing drizzle. Not a soul was outside the gaol until close upon eight o'clock, except the constables on duty, and even when the black flag had been hosted the number present was very small, the interest taken in this event being evidently less than that which .characterisssi the execution of Patrick Biggins. After rising, shorlls after six o'clock, the condemned men Were visit, the Rev. Father Greaven, who arrived at ths n at ten minutes to seven, and at seven o'closs. they were taken to the chapel in the hospital, where mass was celebrated. They took no breakfast, or any food at all. They were taken into the pinioning roans at a few minutes before eight o'clock, and the Shoriff (Mr. J. Reddington) formally handed over the convicts to Marwood, who immediately pinioned their arms, and at five minutes past eight the mournful procession, led by the sheriff, started for the scaffold. Thomas Higgins I was the first to appear, looking very pale and haggard; and after him cause Flynn, the latter repeating devoutly the responses to the Service for the Dead, which was read by Father Grssaven ; but Higgins scarcely opened his lips. Both were dressed in the clothes they wore at the trial, but neither had any had-covering. Higgins walked steadily to the scaffold, looking upwards with an anxious face, his lips moving slightly. Marwood placed him beneath that part of the beam from which Patrick Higgins had been hanged, strapped his legs, and pnt the white cap over Ms head. Then, after performing the same functions for Flynn, who still repeated the responses to the rev. fatlser's prayers, the executioner stepped to the end of the drop, and at ten minutes past eight the Lough Mask murderers ceased to exist. Death in each case was instantaneous, the same length of drop, namely nine feet, being used, as on the occasion of the execution of their fellow murderer, Patrick Higgins. Contrary to expectation, Michael Flynn made no statement on the scaffold. Marwood did his work quickly, and all the arrangements for the ceremony were carried out without the slightest hitch. The only persons present were eight or nine representatives of the press, Ike sheriff, the chief warder, the deputy governor of the gaol, Dr. Kincaid (the gaol sorgeos-), the priest, the executioner, and a couple of turnkeys. The bodies were left hanging for an hour, and at the end of that time they were removed by Marwood, and placed in the rough deal coffins prepared for their reception. An inquest on the bodies was held during the morning in a room in the gaol, and the usual verdict returned.