The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1869-04-10 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE SUICIDE OF LORD CLONCURRY.  The Freeman's Journal gives the following particnlars of the suicide of Lord Cloncurry, which occurred on Saturday last, at his residence, Lyons Castle, County Kildare:— It is with sorrow we announce that Lord Cloncurry who, we understand, has been for a considerable period suffering under mental disease, terminated his existence at about five o'clock last Saturday evening, at his residence, Lyons, Haztehatch. It appears that the eccentricities for which his lordship hail been, for a considerable period remarkable, latterly settled into a complete desire to deprive himself of life. The first occasion upon which this became evident was on the day of the last general meeting of the directors and shareholders of the Great Southern and Western Railway. On that day, it is stated, that as a brother director was driving to the King's-bridge Terminus to attend the meeting he observed his lordship apparently making an effort to cross the river wall at Usher's Island, with, it is supposed, the intent of throwing himself into the river. The gentleman, who observed his lordship, alighted from his carriage, into which he induced the deceased nobleman to enter, and he brought him to the terminus. There his conduct was so indicative of insanity that it was deemed advisable to have his lordship placed under restraint until a vehicle was procured, in which he was conveyed to Lyons, in charge of the head porter of the terminus, Mr. Cisiney. Measures were subsequently taken to ensure the safety of his lordship, Dr. Banks having been called in to advise as to the restoration cf his mental health. That eminent gentleman subjected him to the required revime, and also appointed a medical gentleman who was to be in constant attendance on his lordship.  At about half-past four o'clock on Saturday his medical attendant decided that he might take a short drive. A car was prepared aild in waiting, and at aliont five o'clock Lord Cloncurry came down from his dressing-room, and was about gettinir on the car when he made some pretext for returningto Isis room, stating that he would not remain a moment, linfottanately he was allowed to do so, and in a very few seconds he WAR seen to precipitate himself from the wind .sv of his room, which is at an elevation of forty feet from the ground. Death was not inst.ntameous ; and on being removed to his chamber his lordship was hound to be still alive, but unconscious, and in this lamentable state he remained for an hour, when be expired. There were not many mat ks of external injuries, and the cause of death appears to have been interuaL  The sad event has created considerable grief in the neighbourhood, as his lordship was a constant resident, and devoted much of his time, whilst in health, to agricultural affairs. The deceased Edward Lawless, third Baron Cloncurry of Cloncurry, county Kildare, in the peerage of Ireland, and Baron Cloncurry in the peerage of the United Kingdom, and an Irish baronet (creation 1776), was born 13th September, 1616, and married, 17th  September, 1539, Elizabeth, only daughter of Mr. John Kirwan, of Castle Racket, county Galway, by whom he leaves issue a numen me family. He succeeded to the title on the death of his father, Valentine Browne, second baron, in October, 1853, said is now succeeded by his eldest son. Valentine, burn 2nd Nov., 1840. The present peer was educated at Eton and College, Oxford, where he gri.duated B.A. in 1861.  At the inquest held on Monday, the Jury found that he met his death by falling from a window of Lyons Caetle on the 3rd of April, he being at the time of unsound mind, and unaccountable fur his acts.