The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1822-12-17 (London, England)

MURDER.  On 'Thursday last an Inquest was held before James O'Brien, Esq. one of the Coroners of the County Cork, at Middleton, en the body of lieutenant Swayer, who came by ibis death on the preceding Monday morning, from a shot fired from • goo by John M'Carthy, the laadlord of the.iltuutt id lima *rm. Doctor Cooke being sworn and examined, stated, that about half-past ten o'clock on the preceding Sunday night, lie, Mr. John M'Call, and deceased, went to.tite house of John M.Carthy, who keeps the Bash Ina. They were sitting in the por. lour taking some wine, and were attended by M'Carthy in person. Mr. M•Call, in the course of the conversation, took down a small picture from the wall, on doing which Mr. M'Carthy said he had lately bought some pictures, and asked him if hewittbed to see them. Mr. M•Call said, " Yes ;" upon which M'Cartby went out and brought in four pictures, ate of which he offered for ten shillings, and for which Mr., M'Call said he would toss up whether he would give him ten shillings or five. They did, and M'Call won. Deceased and M•Call then tossed up for the same picture, and it became the y of deceased; Ftr,oricdt would part with it to him. M'Carthy agreed, and they tossed up, upon which a disagreement took place as to the terms, M'Carthy insisting that he was to get money, add de-, ceased that he was only to get the picture. Abusive words followed from both sides. Witness, in order to put an end to the dispute, and seeing that M'Carthy was disposed to he insolent, offered to pay any value he would put oo the picture if he mould go out of the room, which he refused; Nl•Carttry was not drunk. Whets M'Carthy refused at witness's request to leave the room, deceased desired him peremptorily to quit, which he again refused, and deceased then rose for the purpose of putting him out, but was held by witness, who called to M•Carthy to open the hall door, and that he, the witness would take Mr. Swayne out, *earthy said he would not—that he had attended them long enough, and then rang the bell and seated himself on a chair, having before been standing. Mr. Swayne struggled to get free from witness, who still held him, upon which M'Carthy said—" Mr. f3wayne. if you attempt to molest. I will positi%ely take your life," and immediately left the room. During his absence witness forced Mr. Swayne as far as the parlour door, and called to Mr. M•Call to open the hail door, in order to take him out, which that gentleman went to do, and jam then liMarthy appeared and came before Mr. Swayne, who was 1.. front of witness, and who mid he would not be bullied by his gun, and disengaging himself by an exertion from witness, was about to rush on M'Carthy, when on the instant the latter let fiy, the gun being poised from about his hip, and when it went off the muzzle was not more than six inches from deceased. M•Carthy's absence, in procuring the gun, was about five minutes, and on his return be got round witness and deceased, so as to front the latter; not more than four seconds elapsed after his return when he fired. On the shot being fired, deceased reeled, turned round on his heel and fell, saying to witness—" James, I'm shot—l believe killed— this isn't the place I ought to have fallen—l wouldn't mind if it had been at Waterloo." Deceased lived till ye-terday ; the hip bone was broken, and though the body bas not been opened, be has no doubt that his death was caused by the shot, from certain symptoms. After the transaction M'Carthy left the room, but soon returned, and said that the wound could not be mortal, it was only small shot was in the gun; upon which witness said, " You murderous ruffian, is that the wny you at tempt to palliate such an act."—M•Carthy then said—" Take' care, 'twits such language as that brought him (meaning deceased) to the state in which he lies." Witness desired him to quit his presence, bat he remained in the room while witness was dressing the wound, and was assisting quite coolly, having brought down a shirt, mattress, water, &c. Deceased Was unmarried and about 28 years of age. The Verdict was " Wilful Murder" against John M'Carthy, for whose apprehension a reward has been offered by the Barrymore Cavalry.