THE PHŒNIX PARK ASSASSINS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3653, 30 March 1883, Page 4

THE PHŒNIX PARK ASSASSINS.

In startling confirmation of the statements which have become known in connection Avith the Phoenix Park murders—namely, that the carman who drove the assassins died in a Dublin hospital in January, and that one of the assassins had died suddenly in the city-a further story has just come to light. If the circumstances of the narrative, which are as yet unknown to the authorities, have reference to the murders of the Chief and Under Secretaries, as there is a probability thoy have, it would seem as if the hand of death was quickly bringing to an early grave all those who participated in the fearful crime. AVithin the last month (January) it appears a respectable-looking man was taken by his friends to a wellknown hospital in Dublin, lie was a man of stalwart build, and great muscular power, but his frame was much wasted by illness. After being a few days in the hospital he exhibited symptoms "of delirium, and at times would rave of murdered men who had been slain by him. and would implore those around to conceal him from the police, who were, he said, seeking him. Sometimes, v. hen the fit of delirium was worst, he would tell the doctor that he would never have murdered the men but that he had been compelled to do .so, and would lumself have been killed if they had not "been slain by him. AVhile telling the story he would strive to get out of bed. saying ho wanted to bury the dead men, and* so powerful was he th.it he had to be bound down to prevent his n-ettiiur up. Then he would say. "The police'are after me ;do not tell them lam here. Save me from them ;" aud then would lietrcmblinirinbed, with apprehension. One morning hc'bursl the bands that restrained 'him. and breaking the glass of a window in the ward succeeded in getting throughthe aperture thus made aud climbing down into tbe hospital yard. He was there- found by one of the nurses, and when he had left his bed he said he wanted "b> bury the murdered men." AVheu the delirium passed on the patient lay weak and silent, and apparently brooding over some object that dejected him and occupied his mind to the exclusion of all else. He then made no allusion to the crimes with which at other times he accused himself. The hospital authorities at length perceiving that bis only disease was one of the mind, and that be had no physical ailment, sent him to a lunatic asylum, where he died the other day. The deceased, whose name for obvious reasons cannot be given, was a _ mechanic by occupation, aud worked at his trade in Dublin.

The following is portion of the statement made by Robert Farrell, one of the informers'in connection with the Field case :- -

Robert Farrell, a young man, 30 years of age, stated that seven years ago ho was sworn in a member of the Fenian Brotherhood. He identified some of the prisoners as being at the meetings. Threepence per week was paid by the members for arms, and rifles and revolvers were supplied. The city was marked out in districts. There were at times military inspections, and they had a general. Some of the accused had positions in the Brotherhood. The members were sworn to obey the superior officers like good soldiers. The picked men of the oriraiiisation formed an assassination committee. They did not know each other. There was Id per week called civil mouey for expenses, besides 3d per week for anus. Sometimes the anus were given out before they were paid for. Breech-loading Snidcrs used to be supplied as well as revolvers. As a rule the C.'s of each company collected the money and handed it to Ihcß.'s, who was over the C.'s. In the circle Daniel Curley represented there were eight or nine B.'s*. In Peter street, where witness was, Daniel Curley was tho centre. The B.s used to be elected by the rank and file. Bartley Kuliher was first secretary to Curley, and was succeeded by Joseph Brady, one of the accused, who was the present secretary. In Peter street Edward Rorke, who is now in America, used to drill them, and afterwards a man named Whitest used to do so. After being about two years in Peter street, they went to a place* in Cuffe lane, where the heads of the circles were .Andrew Culleu and Daniel Ourley. There were two circles there. On Saturdays they met together, aud on other days they used to meet separately. In cross-examination the witness said: There was never any order for assassination issued from the Fenian Society. Tho orders used to be given from the Assassination Conspiracy. Joseph Alullett was the_ man who was * responsible for this conspiracy. " I would never be here if I was only connected with the Fenian Society." From the Fenian Brotherhood this Assassination Society was established. Alullett has put mo where I am to-day through his threats. I have been properly duped and decoyed into this Assassination Society by Curley. I never was at any assassination meeting in my life. I took no part in moulding it into an Assassination Society. I was growingsick of the whole business, as I saw it Avas a sham and a delusion, and only good for those who lived by it. I know only a mite about, the Society to some of those iv the dock. During the seven or eight years I have been in the Society it was not always alive. Sometimes we used not to have any meeting places. It was never dead, however, for three years. 1 used _to obey instructions. lam sorry I joined it. The Assassination Society has destroyed the country. I never knew any man to havo been assassinated until the present Societywas established. 1 repeatedly tendered my Resignation to the Society, ai.d Alullett is the man who put me where I am through his tlireats.