The Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester Telegram. — 1878-08-23 (Weymouth, Dorset, England)

ATTEMPTED MURDER BY 'A JUDGE.  A Dublin correspondent says: A painful sensation was created in the town on Tuesday by the intelligence which arrived from Belgium that Mr. Justice Keogh, who had been for some time in failing health, had developed alarming symptoms, which culminated on Tuesday last in a sudden cuthreak of violent madness, during which the learned judge attacked and inflicted desperate injuries with a razor upon his valet, Michael Cullen. Cullen is a native of Dublin, and had been for many years in the judge's employment in a quasi professional position, as well as in a confidential capacity. A week or so ago Mr. Justice Keogh started for the Continent for the benefit of his health. He was accompanied, as usual, by Cullen. They went to Brussels, and put up at an hotel in a suburban hamlet, the judge and his valet occupying one apartment, and a Mr. Ferguson another adjacent one. On Tuesday morning, between four and five o'clock, Cullen was roused up by his master shouting, "Cullen, Cullen, get up and get me some tea." He arose, partially dressed himself, and proceeded to raise the window-blind, the room being dark. While in the act of doing so, he suddenly found himself attacked from behind. Looking round, he found his assailant to he the judge himself, the wild glare of insanity being apparent in his eyes, whilst his'countenance was distorted by a senseless fury which had suddenly taken possession of him He was dressed only in his nightshirt, and in his right hand he brandished an open razor. Shouting out, '• Now I'll do for you,' he sprang fiercely upon poor Cullen, and in a moment had buried the keen blade into his flesh, inflicting upon the unfortunate servitor two desperate stashes across the ribs at either side of his body. He would most assuredly have been killed had not assistance come. The shouts of Cullen and the sounds of the struggle brought Mr. Ferguson and the people of the house into the apartment. They seized the excited judge, and wrenched the desperate weapon from his grasp. Medical assistance was promptly obtained, and Cullen's wounds, which were found to be of a dreadfull nature, were immediately dressed, ;but he is still in a very critical condition. The judge has since been placed under proper restraint. A telegram from Dublin says : The attempt made by Mr. Jus ice Keogh upon the life of hii.t.servant Cullon.has  jcaused the greatest eXcitement ui Dublin. The judge hail been since the last assizs suffering from a malady which /it is believed culminated in homicidal mania near i Brussels on Tuesday. The gashes inflicted upon the servant were if a serious nature. One was five or six '‘ inches in length and dangerou4y deep. Cohen, who is , now in Dublin, is entirely out of danger. On two or three , occasions lately the judge exhibited symptoms v 4 hich led those conversant with his health to anticipate that hi., , services as a judge would soon be closed. While at Naas ( Assizes he showed signs of mental aberration, crying on the bench when there was nothing to account for his excitement. His friends placed him under medical care and strict surveillance, and there is no hope entertained if his recovery. A letter has been received in Dublin, stating that Mr. Justice Keogh, having considerably recovered from hib recent illness, is now on his way home.