The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1883-05-19 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

PHCENIX PARK MURDERS.  EXECUTION OF JOSEPH BR &DY.  Joseph Brady, the firat of the men condemned to death for the mi.rder of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr. Burke in the Phceuix-park, on May 6th af last year, was executed within the walls of Kilinainham Prison, Dublin, on Monday morning. As early as six o'clock peopl,, began to arrive outside the gaol, and as the morning advanced the crowd continued largely to increase. This was especially the case at the northern end of the building, where a staff was erected on which the black flag would at eight o'clock be hoisted to announce that the last penalty of the law had been paid. Extensive precautions had been taken by the military and police authorities to prevent any hostile demonstration.  The condemned man rose. about six o'clock, and after having dressed he was taken into the presence of the Rev. Canon Kennedy, vicar of Sc. James's (Roman Catholic) Church, and the Rev. Father O'Reilly. The Holy Communion was administered to him in the chapel, and the prisoner and the rev. gentlemen remained in prayer during the whole of the time that ensued between then and the entrance of the executioner.  The scaffold was erected in a small yard in the south-west corner of the gaol. The platform itself was about 12ft. or 14ft. long by about 12ft. wide, the drop being constructed on the plan usually adopted by Marwood, who carefully inspected all the arrangements early in the morning.  By a quarter to eight the gathering of people outside the gaol had become very large opposite the flagstaff. Rain commenced to fall heavily, but the crowd remained waiting for the black flag to be hoisted.  Exactly at eight o'clock the black flag was hoisted and announced that the execution had taken place. At this time there must have been at least 10,000 people waiting and watching. As the black flag was hoisted there arose a cry ot "Hats off," and the request was at once obeyed, The great throng then silently departed from the precincts of the gaol, and no attempt whatever was made to give the authorities any trouble. By nine o'clock nearly all the people in the vicinity of the gaol had disappeared, and the outside of the gaol at half-past ten presented its normal appearances, there being no crowd.  Brady walked firmly to the scaffold. He was quite resigned, and said nothing to the chaplain, the governor of tht goal, or the warders who accompanied him. Alter receiving the ministrations of the Church the convict wrote a letter to his mother. Walking firmly to the scaffold he made no statement, and carried in his hand a prayer-book. This before being pinioned, he banded to one of the warders, saying, "Take the book." The operation of placing the rope round the neck of the culprit was submitted to without resistance. The drop fell exactly at eight o'clock, and the body disappeared from view. The drop was about 9ft., and death was instantaneous.  Brady was hanged in the clothes he wore in the dock. He asked that these should be handed over to his mother as his only worldly possession. It is 17 years since an execution took place at Silmainham. An inquest was held at half-past nine o'clock in a room in the prison, under the presidency of Dr. Hearty, the coroner of the district. Evidence was given showing that death was instantaneous, and the usual verdict was returned.