IRISH' VENDETTA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2150, 5 August 1907, Page 4

IRISH' VENDETTA.

TERRIBLE FIGHT WITH HAMMERS. The hillside overlooking the beautiful valley of Glenariffo, Antrim, has been the scene of a terrible family vendetta, which resulted in the death of one of the combatants and serious injury to many others.

There had been bad blood between two families named McAuley and Delargey for a long period, and ono Sunday morning on the way homo from Mass a young man of the McAuley clan and another of the Delargeys had a fight. About six o’clock in the evening, as if by common consent, there was a strong muster of both families’ supporters near a limekiln.

The story of what followed was told to the coroner’s jury by Daniel McAuley, a brother of the man who was killed. Ho said that on that evening he saw people running from the opposite side of the glen. He followed them, and when he came to the end of the road leading to the limekiln ho saw a crowd standing, among whom were Alexander Delargey, his wife, and four sons. Delargey liad a stick, his wifo had a hammer, and ono of his sons had a coal sledge-hammer. He heard someone say that tlio two young men who fought in tho morning should finish it. Just thon John McAuley was struck with a stick, and a man aimed a blow at him with a coal hammer.

There was then regular fighting with hammers, sticks, and stones. Witness- was trying to defend liis brother John, and got several knocks about the bead. A few minutes later lie saw his other brother, James, lying in the road, and ono of the Delargeys hit him on tho temple with a stone.

The shout was raised that a man was killed, and the fight was stopped. There was a pathetic scono when the wifo of the dying man hurried to the spot. His' head was pillowed on a brother's knee, and ho was surrounded by his sons. Tlio woman picked up tho blood-stained stone, but tlip sledge-hammer with which the man was felled could not bo found.

One of the Delargeys was dangerously injured, and one of the McAulcys had several ribs broken. Nearly all the other combatants had severe injuries.

Charles and Alexander Dolargey were charged with tho murdor of James McAuloy, and remanded. Both appeared in court heavily bandaged.