Swansea and Glamorgan Herald, and South Wales Free Press. — 1862-06-25 (Swansea, West Glamorgan, Wales)

THE LIMERICK AND TIPPERARY MURDERS.  TILE SPECIAL COMMISSION. The Special Commission for the counties of Limerick and Tipperary was opened on the 16th inst. The trial of prisoners commenced on Tuesday, before Mr. Justice Fitzgerald and Mr. Baron Deasey, when Thomas Beckham, charged with being one of the persons who murdered Mr. Francis Fitzgerald on the 16th of May last, was placed at the bar. Ile is a middle-sized man, about fifty-five years of age, dark complexioned. His general appearance is that of a respectable, industrious middle-farmer of tbe ordinary class. He appears quiet and inoffensive, but cool and self-possessed. The idea of the dreadful character of murder is by no means realised when you look at him. The general impression of those who have seen him is that he is a most unlikely, person to commit the awful crime of which he is charged. He is rather deaf, but watches attentively all the proceedings. He sainted the judges by putting his hand to his forehead when he took his place in the dock. The Attorney-General having stated the case for the prosecution, Mrs. Fitzgerald WAS conducted into the witness chair and sworn. She was dressed in deep iseurning, and was greatly affected. She said : I resided in the month of May in the cottage, Kilmallock. I had resided there for nine months, from immediately after the time I was married. The late Mr. Francis Fitzgerald was my husband. 1 recollect leaving the cottage with him on Friday, the 16th of May, about half-past three o'clock. We proceeded to Kelly's farm, which belonged to Mr. Fitzgerald. It was not far from the cottage. We remained there about a quarter of an hour. We then went to a field on the road in the direction of our home. When we came out on the high road, we were accosted. Beckham said, "Stand ! You are my man." When I heard that expression 1 thought the man was wad. I looked and saw two men, one of whom passed me, and the man who spoke stood. I looked at him. Be was not disguised in any way. I would know him again. Solicitor-General Would you know that man again ? 'Witness : I would. Solicitor-General : Turn round and say if you see him. . .  Mrs. Fitzgerald looked towards the dock, and said the prisoner was the man. Examination continued: When he used the words, " Stand ; yon are my man," I said, 'the man is mad," turning to the other man. The next thing that was said was, "Give me your money ;" my husband told me to keep quiet, and I kept quiet. The prisoner took out a pistol, when he asked for the money. I saw him drawing the pistol, and he fired it at my husband. I looked at my darling husband then, and saw him going down on the ground. Once again I heard a shot, I don't know by whom fired; one of the men ran past me and the other man, and both jumped over the ditch and ran away. When my husband tell he told me to run down to Mrs. Kelly's. Iran down to a house at the end of the road, and saw a little boy, but was afraid he would not understand me. I met a woman, and told her what had occurred; returned, and found my husband lying there, and people about him, lie was brought home. We met a doctor on the way,—Dr. O'Connell. He laid my husband on the ditch, and examined him, lie was then taken home, and died that evening. Other evidence was given, sod the prisoner was convicted, and sentenced to death.  John Faust was convicted of sending threat. letters to Mr. Hamilton Langley, and sentenced to years' penal servitude. The Tipperary commission adjourned to the Ist of July.