A Short History of Murders in County Waterford

1. MURDEROUS OUTRAGE
MURDERS IN COUNTY WATERFORD
Joanne Rothwell
Waterford County Archivist

2. IRELAND – NEWFOUNDLAND
CONNECTION 29TH June 1737 Old Bailey
 James Kelly, 36 Years of Age, born of mean Parents at Waterford in Ireland,
who gave him little or no Education: When of Age, was not put to a Trade, but
did Labouring and Country Work, and was employed in fishing upon the
Coast; but the Business he followed most when at Home, was that of a Miller;
he married a Wife, and liv'd in an honest tho' low Way at Home, but thinking
to mend his Fortune, he engag'd to serve some Merchants of London
in Newfoundland. He went there, and carried on their Fishery for some Time,
and then he intended to have come Home to visit his Wife, Children, and
Relations, if he had not been taken up for the Murther for which he died.
 Robert Levermore serv'd a Merchant, and had a little Habitation near the
Harbour of Raunce in Newfoundland, as Kelly had at a Place call'd Formuge
not far from thence; Kelly and one William Fitzgerald being Countrymen, and
of the same Business, and acquaintted together, and of a very villainous and
cruel Disposition; as they were sailing along the Coast about their Affairs,
agreed to make a Visit to that poor Man Robert Levermore, who had a little
House near by, when they came to him they call'd for a Bottle of Rum, and
paid for it, and they made him drink the greatest Part of it, then seeing him
fuddl'd, they thought upon executing their wicked Intent to murther him,

3. BY THE LAYING OF HANDS
 Kelly look'd after the Body till Fitzgerald riffled the House, at Night they carried him
to the Stage-head and threw the Body into the Sea
 Next Day it was found, and according to the Custom of the Place, the People were
called together to touch the Corps, imagining by that Means they might discover the
Murtherer
 Kelly and William Fitzgerald the Murtherers, conscious of their Guilt, absented and
fled into the Woods, where they travelled one hundred Leagues, Fitzgerald was
kill'd in the Woods, and 5 or 6 Weeks after, Kelly being upon the Coast was taken
up, and was almost starv'd to Death (as he said) in a nasty Gaol, being glad to eat
raw Fish full of Maggots; a Gentleman he said offered him his Freedom, upon
Condition of engaging to be his Bond-Servant for Life; but Kelly rejected this Offer,
and after enduring very great Misery and Distress, he was at last sent Home
to England to be tried for his Life, where being convicted of the Murder as above,
he suffer'd accordingly. At first he denied his knowing any Thing of this Murder, but
when the Dead Warrant came down, and there was no Hopes of Life, he own'd that
he was present at the Murder, and drew one End of the Rope, with which they
strangl'd Levermore. But he said, that Nicholas Fitzgerald and Robert Joyce, the
two Witnesses against him, had a greater Hand in the Murther than he, and that
they forc'd him to assist in that execrable Fact, by threat'ning to dispatch him in the
same Manner.
 Kelly, (though of the Romish Communion ) behav'd well under his Misfortunes, and
was attentive to Prayers and Exhortations, at which he constantly attended,
expressing a deep Sorrow for the many Sins of his Life, especially the grievous Sin

4. “Bad Cess to that blackguard medicine” –
THE CLOGHEEN POISONING CASE
 Mrs Johanna Burke – wife of Richard Burke Clerk of Waterford
Union Workhouse. Died 14th April having taken medicine supplied by
her husband from Waterford
 “ She had a little property, which she had to mind...It was not from
any misunderstanding that they did not live together, and he was in
the habit of coming to see her occasionally”.
 She was subject to fits of epilepsy – she took bark and wine for her
constitution
 She sent Ellen Pyne – maid to the river for water to take the
medicine. Shortly afterwards she became very ill and Ellen Pyne
went next door to get Mrs. Annie Mooney sister of Johanna who
thought she was having a fit. She sent Ellen for Dr. Walshe and the
priest. “God forgive them that caused this” – dying declaration. The
Doctor was out but the priest came only to find her already dead
 3 weeks earlier she went into her sister to show her the medicine
sent by her husband to her. She did not normally take medicine and

5. THE INQUEST
 Post mortem carried out by Dr. Walshe
 Inquest held by John J. Shee, esquire coroner. Inquest
adjourned 3 times – waiting on report from Professor of
Chemistry Dr. Blythe Queens College Cork on the
analysis of her stomach
 Chain of evidence
 Strychnine poisoning – also salts and magnesia
(magnesia and salts identified on the packet)
 Medicine – Harrington and Co., Waterford (later
evidence only turpentine purchased- considered useful
in epilepsy)
 Jury found that Johanna Burke died from the effects of
strychnine in medicine which she had received from her
husband

6. THE LETTERS
 My Dear Wife – I write to inform you that the little parcel
containing the coffee has been forwarded by train this
day. If you like it I shall send some more fresh roasted. I
trust the medicine will agree with you. Mr. Harrington
says that by continuing to take it you will get rid of that
odious complaint under which you are labouring so long
– but a lozenge on your tongue, and you will not feel
the taste
 My Dear Wife- Mr. Harrington is anxious to know if you
are taking the medicine. Be sure and let me know
everything in your next letter. Above all if an attack of
epilepsy seizes you be sure to take the medicine.
 Saturday 12th April – My Dear Wife...I hope you are
better now than when I saw you. Indeed your breathing

7. SUPPORT
 We do not like referring to this case, but we confess the fact
that the people of Waterford, or a class of them should have
been called on for subscriptions to defend this case, has
thrown a slur upon our citizens which is very deeply felt by
many. A correspondent in Clonmel writes to us to know why
the people of Waterford sympathise with this offence, and have
subscribed to defend the prisoner and we can assign no
reason. The prisoner has been for many years in the receipt of
a large income, and therefore ought not to require such
assistance. Complaints have been made when the populace of
rural districts have collected a fund to defend those charged
with agrarian crime, and the fat that funds have been collected
to defend a murderer have been used by those in England to
show the complicity of the population with the crime of the
offender and we shall not be surprised to find the Times and
other English papers quoting the subscription raised in
Waterford for the defence of one who has been committed on
the verdict of a coroner’s jury and had a true bill found against

8. THE TRIAL – 25 JULY 1862
 Margaret Bohan – Waterford Workhouse inmate witnessed
Rafter (male nurse in the Infirmary) and Richard Burke with a
piece of paper with a spoonful of something white on it and a
little glass bottle
 “...the bad acts of a woman should be taken as the indicia of
virtue. She had two illegitimate children. Where evidence is
taken from such a source the evidence should be as clear as
crystal. ...tainted witness...I ask you, therefore, to expunge that
link from the chain of evidence”
 Mr. Burke and Miss Ryan – accusation and acquittal. Johanna
wrote to Mr. Murphy of the Waterford Arms where her husband
was boarding with regard to this charge
 Dinner and £5 – Mrs. Murphy “separate maintenance”
 Salts and magnesia purchased from Mr. Condell, on the Mall .
Messenger boy Brown delivered them and saw Burke without
opening the packets (in blue paper) add the packet of coffee

9. Johanna’s LETTERS
 28th March 1863
 My Dearest Richard...I am afraid you will forget both the coffee
and the medicine; indeed I am very much in want of it, as I
think it would make me very strong...
 2nd April 1862
 As you predicted, the parcel and the letter came by the same
post, for which I am very thankful. I did not take the salts until
last night, as I was at Mr. Steele’s wake on part of Sunday, and
at the funeral on Monday
 9th April 1862
 My Dearest Richard-...I forgot to say in my last letter that I liked
the coffee very much; it is the most delicious I ever drank; I
drink to your health in a fine cup every night. What you sent
me will last me till Easter, and then you will bring me a fresh
supply; for you know you promised to ask for a week, and think

10. THE SUMMING UP
 “That she was not very pleasing in his eyes was not
unreasonable to infer, having regard to the fact that
during the earlier years of her residence in Clogheen his
visits were numerous, but that latterly they fell off and
did not average tow in the 12 months”
 “Let them not be led by a man’s words, honied and
smooth, when that partly served their purpose, when
they had conduct to judge by”
 She having to make her own way on the farm – begging
loans from him (2s 3d a day)
 Dr. Fitzpatrick- information on strychnine. Medicine
wrapped in paper with Burkes own handwriting
 Defence – Mrs. Bohan lying and unreliable, Johanna’s
letters and the time together in the Waterford Arms, the

11. THE VERDICT
 Jury retired at 4.45pm to consider their verdict
and returned at 6.10pm with the verdict
 GUILTY – recommendation for mercy
 The judge assumed the black cap
 “you, Richard Burke be taken from the place
where you stand to the gaol in which you have
been confined, and that on Monday 25th August,
you be taken to the public place of execution, and
be there hanged by the neck until you are dead,
and your body to be afterwards buried within the
precincts of the prison”

12. SHOCKING MURDER AT ARDMORE
12TH July 1862
 Catherine Foley (aged 60)– beaten to death by her daughter,
Hanorah (Norry) (27)
 Legs of a stool and a knife were the murder weapons
 Quarrel about eggs
 Sub-constable Patrick Kennedy found the deceased and
secured the suspect who was still beating her deceased
mother
 Richard Fitzgerald “Norry, you have your mother killed” –
Norry Foley “I have, that’s the beginning of the pattern for you
and for fear she is not dead...” attempted to beat her further
 Dr. W.C. Poole – visited the prisoner “I did not see any sign of
madness” , “labouring under a depression of spirits”
 Her sisters Margaret Foley and Mary Keogh gave evidence as
to the increasing insanity of Hanorah Foley. Very similar
testimony
 Verdict- Catherine Foley murdered by her daughter Hanorah

13. Shocking Murder- Knockyoolahan,
Cappoquin July 1881
 “The murder is not agrarian”
 3 miles from Cappoquin towards Dungarvan- in a small,
miserable hut by the roadside
 Thomas Buckley – lately returned from America
 Mary Grady was living with Catherine Noonan for previous 3
months. Thomas Buckley arrived at the house and asked
James Noonan (Catherine’s husband) for a smoke. James
then left to collect manure leaving his wife, Mary Grady and 2
year old child with Thomas Buckley
 Shortly after he left Thomas Buckley ran at Mary Grady and
struck her and he then drew her down and put his keen on
her chest and twisted the handkerchief she had around her
neck. Catherine tried to stop him and when she couldn’t she
picked up her child and ran out to get her husband
 When they came back Buckley was kneeling on her chest

14. Severed Head
 Unable to stop Buckley the Noonans went to get
Buckley’s friends and when they came back they found
Mary Grady’s body in the yard with her head cut off
 The police found Buckley at his father John’s house
where he confessed to the murder and where his blood
covered clothes and the knife were found. He said “I have
killed the devil; he was long enough in the world”
 His brother Michael said that his brother had been of
unsound mind for some time and “used frequently go
about the place reading books without his hat”

15. BODY EATEN BY RATS
 Bridget Whelan 25 years
 2 years previously (1886) she gave birth to an illegitimate
male child that was “sent to nurse to hide her shame”
 She made regular payments for his maintenance until she
married in 1888 - keeping her child a secret
 The nurse went to her looking for more money and was
asked to keep the child for a month and Bridget had pigs to
sell and she would then be able to pay her arrears and
maintain her payments
 3 days later Bridget called to the nurse to pay the arrears
and collected the child saying she had told her husband
about him
 Some weeks later Michael Murphy was out rabbit hunting
near Cappa when he found the body of a child partly
unearthed and eaten by rats
 Medical testimony was that the child died from having the
skull smashed possibly with a heavy stone

16. KILLEA MURDER
 18th March 1890 Inquest at house of Edmond Morrissey,
publican, Killea
 Jury went off to view the body
 13th March Richard Maher found by Mary Collins at 6.30 on
her way to work. Called in to Mrs. Hennessy .
 “the brains of the unfortunate man were scattered about the
road”
 Richard Maher held 8 acres less than ¼ of a mile from where
he died
 Land let to Mr. Donovan and Maher was unmarried and a
labourer on the farm of Mr. Connell
 Mrs. Hennessy, farm of 60 acres, 20 dairy cows. Husband in
the District Lunatic Asylum

17. NIGHT OF THE MURDER
 Maher worked for Connell until 6pm and then called to
Mrs. Hennessy shortly before 7pm to borrow a potato
sack for seed potatoes he had purchased
 He was sober leaving the house and left with the sack
under his arm and his hand in his pocket
 He was found badly beaten with his deep gashes in his
head and the back of the skull completely smashed –
repeated blows
 Mark of fingers around his throat, broken nose, cut over
left eye, extensive wound on top of the head and
fractures to temple and back of the head
 He had a few pence in his pocket, tobacco, a knife and
other articles – not murdered by a tramp

18. THE SUSPECTS
 Thomas Hennessy jnr.– eldest son (22) “not dull enough not
to notice”
 Whittle – friend of Hennessy. His father had a dispute over
an acre with a man named Flynn and the matter was brought
before the Killea branch of the INL. Maher spoke strongly for
Flynn against Whittle in the arbitration and Flynn won the
claim on the acre
 Following enquiries the police arrested Hennessy and
Whittle
 29th March – Denis Whittle, Thomas Hennessy, senior and
junior, Patrick and Michael Hennessy arrested
 Thomas Hennessy, senior, Denis Whittle and Patrick
Hennessy were discharged

19. FORENSIC EVIDENCE
 Thomas Hennessy’s coat found with bloodstains that
had been rubbed with clay
 Sent to Dr. Edwin Lapper, Dublin (Professor of
Chemistry) for analysis – certified that the sleeve and
lower parts of the coat contained bloodstains. More time
required to produce further evidence
 22 May 1890 – no further evidence could be produced
 Thomas Hennessy was discharged provided he could
be produced again if required
 Thomas Hennessy said he could as he lived with his
mother in Killea
 No persons in custody for the crime

20. CLONMOYLE CASE
 11 November 1899- report of the sad and sudden death
of Mrs. Nano Power
 18th November 1899- Alleged Wife Murder Near Clonea-
Her Husband Arrested
 John Power, large farmer. Poor Law Guardian, Rural
District Councillor
 Mrs. Power and servant girl Mary Shanahan went to
mass in Rathgormack. John Power also went to mass
but separately and he then went to meeting of the
Clonea branch of the United Irish League
 He then proceed home – “somewhat under the
influence of drink”

21. INQUEST
 Shanahan- didn’t return back from Rathgormack with her mistress and
when she did return to Clonmoyle Mrs. Power was staggering about
drunk
 Mr. Power came home to find Mrs. Power drunk. She gave him supper
and he went to bed
 Maurice Power called in on business and found Mrs. Power in the kitchen
under the influence of drink and Mr. Power in bed – he assisted her to her
room
 Fitzgerald a servant of Mr. Power’s called into the house and heard some
noise from upstairs and found Mrs. Power dying. Woke Mr. Power and
sent for the priest. She died ½ hour later
 No mention of any injuries by the witnesses. She died 9pm Sunday
night. Funeral arranged for Tuesday and the hearse to convey the coffin
to the funeral had arrived when the police decided an inquest should be
held
 Dr. Dwan, medical dispensary doctor – preliminary exam. Was not
prepared to give cause of death. Dr. Walker’s services requisitioned and
a post-mortem held
 2 deep puncture wounds over the right and left temple, contusions to the
forehead and 5 ribs broken on right side, 4 on the left, left arm broken at

22. THE MAGISTERIAL
INVESTIGATION
 Carrickbeg Courthouse – no public as too small. Large crowds waited
outside
 Thomas Fitzgerald – John Power arrived home Sunday evening around
5.30/6pm. Mrs. Power told him that Philip Quinlan was waiting to speak with
him. He later heard Quinlan leaving and John Power then went back inside
the house. He was woken by Maurice Power, labourer and sent upstairs to
see Mrs. Power who was dead in the bedroom. Saw her injuries. He was
sent to get Mary Shanahan. Mrs Power had come to him earlier, frightened
and looking for him to come back to the house. He refused and sent her
back.
 Mary Shanahan- After Quinlan left Mrs. Power called Mr. Power in to his
supper. He said he would not have any supper – in a cross tone. Mrs.
Power went to run out of the kitchen door. He dragged her back saying
“Who is bringing the drink to the house” . He kicked Mrs. Power and then
kicked Mary when she went to her aid. He fell in doing this and then got up
and struck Mrs. Power with his fist. Something had fallen and when Mary
Shanahan bent to pick it up he knocked her down with his fist. Mrs. Power
was sitting at the bottom of the stairs. He took up the sweeping scrub and
hit Mary with it on the hands. Mrs. Power went up the stairs and sent Mary
after her. He came up the stairs. Mary ran down the stairs and out the
kitchen door to her family’s home. When she came back with Fitzgerald she

23. CHILDREN’S STATEMENTS
 Mary Power (8)- she was sleeping with her grandmother in the
loft on the night. Minnie Shanahan and her mother came
upstairs and when her father came in Minnie went away. “I
was frightened and grandmother was frightened, and she got
up and went to hide; father and mother were at the top of the
stairs” She saw a scrub in her father’s hand. Refused to
answer when asked what he did with it
 William Power (12) – Was in the kitchen with his mother.
When his father came in “I went out because I was afraid of
my father” His brother Larry (10) came with him. The went
into the fields and then came back and stayed in the yard.
Saw Michael Power entering the house. “I saw him crossing
the staircase window; there was someone with him...They
were going slowly as if they were carrying something” Michael
Power left the house, got Fitzgerald from the barn. Saw Father
Egan come and go away. Then went into the house and saw
his mother dead in the loft. Was told by their father not to tell
anyone.

24. MEDICAL TESTIMONY
 Dr. David C. Walker, dispensary medical officer. Carried out post
mortem with Dr. Dwan
 Found the body thin and poorly nourished
 Wound an inch and ½ long on the left side of the head and
another wound on the other side of the head. Wound on the right
eyebrow, bruises of forehead, left arm, left side, left thigh, both
shins, right buttock, left shoulder, compound fracture of left
forearm, dislocation of the other bone at the elbow joint, ribs
broken on both sides. Left lung pierced at its base. Blood in the
chest cavity.
 Heart, lungs and stomach health. Liver ruptured under the surface
from some recent violence, spleen was torn
 No evidence she was addicted to habits of intemperance
 I don’t believe it is possible that the 10 ribs I found broken could
have been caused by one fall down the stairs
 Rupture of the liver caused by a kick of a boot.
 I consider all the injuries I found were the result of some direct
violence

25. THE FURTHER WITNESSES
 Michael Power- Called at the house around 9pm. Had a lot of drink
taken “I partially knew what I was doing” Saw Mrs. Power on the
settle bed and she asked for help up the stairs. He called for the Mr.
Power and then got Mr. Fitzgerald. Then went and got Fr. Egan
 “I saw a mark on her temple but not on her face, when I was helping
her upstairs she made no complaint that I was hurting her”
 Philip Quinlan- was waiting in the kitchen. Mrs. Power was sober. Was
there to ask Mr. Power for a representation form to get a cottage. Mr.
Power was not sober. Signed papers and treated him to a large bottle
of stout and had 1 himself.
 Acting Sgt. Diloughrey – Clonea Police Station. No report of sudden
death for Nano Power. He heard it from one of his men who had
heard it from people talking. He called to the house of John Power –
wake was underway. Black handkerchief around her head – wounds
not exposed but when he moved the handkerchief he saw the
wounds. Found 3 large bloodstains of the floorboards of the bedroom
upstairs where the body was being waked. Stains between the stairs
and the bed but the larger one was near the head of the staircase.
Also noted bloodstains on the steps of the staircase and on the

26. THE PRISONER
 Sgt. Diloughrey came back that evening and asked him
what had happened. He said he came home and had
his supper, noticed his wife had drink taken and that
she was addicted to drink and he was always checking
her for it. He went to bed and later Michael Power came
and told him his wife was dying. He sent for the priest.
He said “My wife must have fallen downstairs”
 District Inspector McDonald, Portlaw – came the day of
the funeral. I was struck by his demeanor; he did not
appear in the least troubled at the loss of his wife, and
appeared most anxious that the funeral should take
place at once. Troubled by the expense in the delay to
hold an inquest.
 Inquest was delayed for the post-mortem. He then went

27. MERCY
 Sentence of death commuted to penal servitude for life
 Strong recommendation for mercy
 “...all who read the sad details, as revealed in evidence,
will learn with no degree of surprise that the clemency of
mercy has been exercised considering the strong
recommendation of the jury who convicted him of the
crime for which he was indicted”

28. THE TRIAL
 Mrs. Power suffered from a uterine infection and was in ill-
health since the birth of Mary
 Model of the house at the trial
 John Power threatened Minnie Shanahan with the name of
being an informer if she said anything
 Defence – protecting the good name of his wife. Tipsy,
nervous or excited Mrs. Power had fallen 2 or 3 times before
Michael Power called. Perhaps Michael Power accidentally
injured her further carrying her up the stairs
 Possibly manslaughter
 We understand that a memorial is being prepared by the jury
who tried the case, asking the Lord Lieutenant to grant a
reprieve, especially on the grounds that had they known they
were empowered to bring a verdict of manslaughter they
would have done so, but that it was unknown to them that

29. WATERFORD CHILD POISONING
CASE
 December 1899- John Dunphy (11) died on Tuesday 19th in
the County and City Infirmary. Inquest held in David Canty’s
pub, Johnstown, on Friday
 6 Dunphy children – well cared for
 Mr. Patrick Dunphy took his son John out on Tuesday at
12.30– unusual
 John was on Parnell St. at 2 o’clock – twitching and
spasming. Frothing at the mouth with teeth clenched. He was
alone and then the father came up. Taken by cart first to Drs.
and then to the Infirmary
 Dr. Kelleher – could not determine the cause of death.
Requested a post-mortem
 The viscera of the body were sealed in jars and sent on 24th

30. EXTRAORDINARY STATEMENT OF
ACCUSED
 No sir, I have not statement to make, but I know the two of
them were subject to fits. I was making up the stuff that
morning to put to my leg. It was a plaster for my leg and there
was brown sugar and calomel in it. I mixed it up and left it on
the table while I had occasion to go out into the yard. I left the
boy at the fire; there was no-one there but himself, when I
came in he was gone. I missed some of the plaster gone off
the table too. I gathered it up fearing that any of the other
children might come in and take any of it. I throw the
remainder into the sewer; I went down Philip St. to follow
him..I met him coming down Barronstrand Street...I did not
accuse him of anything...We wend down the Quay as far as
the Mall. “I am dry” says he... “Have a bottle of lemonade says
I” and we went into Mrs. Cooney’s and I had a half of whiskey.

31. THE TRIAL
 Patrick Dunphy (70) – charged with poisoning his two sons. Eddie in
September and John in December. Crown proceeding with the case
for John only.
 Motive- insurance claim with the Prudential Company. Catherine,
Eddie and John were insured at 1d a week. Eddie for £9 John £10
 26th September Patrick went to Poole’s shop and got 4 grains of
strychnine from Mr. Parker (recorded in his Poisons book) – said it
was for rats in the house. 3rd November – he attempted to get
strychnine at Pooles again saying it was for dogs keeping him
awake at night. He was refused strychnine so on 12th December he
went to White’s in O’Connell St. – he got 5 grains.
 Patrick and his son Patrick jnr. Lost their jobs with the Corporation
(sewage works) shortly before John’s death. Credit at O’Briens the
grocers was stopped
 After the death he contacted Mr. English the agent of Prudential and
got money to pay the funeral expenses and got advance money to

32. THE EXECUTION
 Morning of the execution – a large crowd of approx. 600
gathered outside the walls of Ballybricken Gaol. No
sympathy for the prisoner
 Prisoner went to mass at 7am and refused breakfast
 7.45 the bell tolled
 Large police force out among the crowd but the crowd were
quiet and dispersed after the execution
 The place of execution almost adjoining the main entrance to
the body of the gaol on a level with the chapel and the
prisoner walks from the priest on to the trapdoor of the
scaffold
 Scaffold specially erected for the execution of John Power
 White cap drawn down over his eyes and his arms are
pinioned so that he barely walks a few steps to the trapdoor.
The bolt is drawn immediately. Drop of 6 feet
 Contrary to expectation he gave no trouble to the

33. THE DEATH
 About one minute past 8 the black flag was run up on the
flagstaff, which had been previously taken from one of the
towers in the background and hoisted over the front entrance
gate, thus announcing to the public outside that the last dread
penalty of the law had been paid.
 Notice was placed on the prison gates We hereby declare the
Judgement of Death was this day executed on Patrick Dunphy
in Her Majesy’s Prison, Waterford in the County of the City of
Waterford. Dated this 10th day of April 1900. Sigend MP
Devereux, Sub-Sheriff, John Watkins, Governor, PF Flynn, PP,
Roman Catholic Chaplain”
 A further notice was posted I FW Staunton, the Surgeon of
Her Majesty’s Prison at Waterford in the County of the City of
Waterford, hereby certify that I this day examined the body of
Patrick Dunphy on whom Judgement of Death was this day
executed in said Prison, and that on that examination I found
that the said Patrick Dunphy was dead. Dated this 10th day of
April 1900.

34. THE EXECUTIONER
 Thomas Henry Scott of Halifax, UK – arrived the
Saturday before and left at 11am after the execution
 He is a short stout man with brown moustache
presenting a full round face and bearing all the
appearance of a respectable commercial traveller
 Executioner 1889-1901. 1892-1896 he was on the
Home Office list of Executioners but was removed due
to a scandal in December 1895
 Following this worked only in Ireland until in 1901 it
was decided by the Irish authorities only to use
executioners from the Home Office list

35. Drink and Manslaughter
 Daniel Kavanagh killed at Bonmahon on Tuesday 1
November 1881. Stabbed
 All Saints Day – a holiday
 Daniel Kavanagh, Tom and Ned Hallahan and James
Flynn went to Bonmahon to the public house of Tom
Power. Stephen McGrath and other friends were there
 They then all proceed to McKeons public house
 Something appears to have occurred in both public
houses between Kavanagh and McGrath but no-one
knows what this was
 When Kavanagh and friends McKeons, McGrath and his
friend James Hally followed. Kavanagh was stabbed in
3 places – the killing blow to the left of his chest
causing instantaneous death. McGrath then ran away

36. THE FIGHT
 James Hally (son of the Relieving Officer) and Daniel
Kavanagh had some words about a dance
 Kavanagh – had drunk about half a gallon of beer and
two bottles of porter
 Kavanagh- jacket half-off fighting with McGrath on the
street. Kavanagh not satisfied to go away when held
back by Pat Phelan
 A great crowd around them – odd no one saw what
happened to Kavanagh
 McGrath was arrested in Queenstown (Cobh)
Thursday 3rd November

37. CONCLUSION
 Newspapers available on microfilm
 Available online www.waterfordcountylibrary.ie
 For more interesting and random facts about Waterford
join Waterford County Archives on Facebook
 Check out www.waterfordcoco.ie Archives pages for
more information about archives collections in the
County
BE SAFE