Ireland Old News

The Times, 6 April 1895

DUBLIN, April 5.
The hearing of the charge of wilful murder arising out of the burning and illtreating of the woman Bridget Cleary was resumed to-day at Clonmel before Colonel Evanson, R.M., Colonel Riall, D.L., and Mr. Grubb, J.P. The accused are Michael Cleary (the husband of the deceased), Patrick Boland (father), William Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, and James Kennedy (cousins), Mary Kennedy (aunt), John Dunne, and William Ahearne. Denis Ganey, herb doctor, was also charged as an accessory before the fact. Medical evidence was given by Mr. T. J. Crean and Mr. Heffernan stated that death was due to shock caused by burns, which were of a terrible nature. There were no traces of poisoning in the stomach. Dr. Crean, at the close of his evidence, said, “I desire to add that I do not think Ganey had anything to do with her illness.” Colonel Evanson.—We cannot enter into that. Mr. Hanrahan, medical practitioner, said that narcotic poison would not leave a sufficient trace in the stomach to produce an effect which would be observable without analysis. No narcotic poison, however, would be sufficient to prevent a person from feeling intense pain from burning. The evidence for the Crown having closed, Mr. R. J. Crean, solicitor, who appeared for Cleary and Ganey, said he proposed to examine two witnesses on behalf of Ganey. Colonel Evanson intimated that the Bench did not consider that they could send Ganey for trial on the evidence. They were of the opinion that he should be discharged. Mr. Crean said in those circumstances he would not call any witnesses. Ganey was then discharged. Mr. Hanrahan, solicitor for William Ahearne, applied that he should also be discharged. He was, he said, a delicate boy of about 16, and the only evidence against him was that he had held a candle while Cleary gave herbs to the deceased out of the saucepan. The Bench directed that the depositions of the various witnesses should be read over to the accused. Michael Kennedy examined a Mr. Anglim, his employer, who proved that he had given Kennedy money at his request on the day before the 15th to take to his mother, this evidence being intyended to show what brought Kennedy into the house. The prisoners were then severally asked whether they had any statements to make. Michael Cleary said that he threw no paraffin oil on his wife, as Johanna Bourke had stated, nor did he place her on the fire. He would sooner put himself upon the fire. Johanna Bourke had injured him by false accusations. He was left with a broken heart. Patrick Boland also made a statement in which he said that it was Cleary who did the deed. Mary Kennedy also made a statement of a rambling character, and before it was completed the Court adjourned till to-morrow.

DUBLIN, April 5.

The hearing of the charge of wilful murder arising out of the burning and illtreating of the woman Bridget Cleary was resumed to-day at Clonmel before Colonel Evanson, R.M., Colonel Riall, D.L., and Mr. Grubb, J.P. The accused are Michael Cleary (the husband of the deceased), Patrick Boland (father), William Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Michael Kennedy, and James Kennedy (cousins), Mary Kennedy (aunt), John Dunne, and William Ahearne. Denis Ganey, herb doctor, was also charged as an accessory before the fact. Medical evidence was given by Mr. T. J. Crean and Mr. Heffernan stated that death was due to shock caused by burns, which were of a terrible nature. There were no traces of poisoning in the stomach. Dr. Crean, at the close of his evidence, said, “I desire to add that I do not think Ganey had anything to do with her illness.” Colonel Evanson.—We cannot enter into that. Mr. Hanrahan, medical practitioner, said that narcotic poison would not leave a sufficient trace in the stomach to produce an effect which would be observable without analysis. No narcotic poison, however, would be sufficient to prevent a person from feeling intense pain from burning. The evidence for the Crown having closed, Mr. R. J. Crean, solicitor, who appeared for Cleary and Ganey, said he proposed to examine two witnesses on behalf of Ganey. Colonel Evanson intimated that the Bench did not consider that they could send Ganey for trial on the evidence. They were of the opinion that he should be discharged. Mr. Crean said in those circumstances he would not call any witnesses. Ganey was then discharged. Mr. Hanrahan, solicitor for William Ahearne, applied that he should also be discharged. He was, he said, a delicate boy of about 16, and the only evidence against him was that he had held a candle while Cleary gave herbs to the deceased out of the saucepan. The Bench directed that the depositions of the various witnesses should be read over to the accused. Michael Kennedy examined a Mr. Anglim, his employer, who proved that he had given Kennedy money at his request on the day before the 15th to take to his mother, this evidence being intyended to show what brought Kennedy into the house. The prisoners were then severally asked whether they had any statements to make. Michael Cleary said that he threw no paraffin oil on his wife, as Johanna Bourke had stated, nor did he place her on the fire. He would sooner put himself upon the fire. Johanna Bourke had injured him by false accusations. He was left with a broken heart. Patrick Boland also made a statement in which he said that it was Cleary who did the deed. Mary Kennedy also made a statement of a rambling character, and before it was completed the Court adjourned till to-morrow.

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