MISSING POSTMAN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11131, 14 February 1930, Page 5

MISSING POSTMAN

WAS HE MURDERED? NO TRACE* OF.BODY.

IRISH MYSTERY REMAINS

UNSOLVED

United Preßß Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Received Feb. 13. 7 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. 12. The Irish Civic Guards unsuccessfully dragged a disused' mine shaft ,600 feet deep in search of the body of Laurence Griffin, tho Free State postman, who disappeared 011 Christmas night.. The shaft is situated on the wild and lonely coast of 8011million' Bay, County Galway. Tho dwelling-house is a cottage, the occupants of which reported hearing a car draw up on Christmas night. It is how suggested that Griffin may not have been murdered but was spirited away. A big legal battle is oxpected ovei tho police attempt to prosecute a charge against the ten accused without producing the body.

(A sensational allegation that Griffin was sewn up in a blanket while still alive and thrown over a bridge or down a mine shaft was made by State Prosecutor Finlay in the. Wa-. terford Police Court when ten inhab-l itants of Stradbally, including Thomas Casliin, a school teacher; Edmund Morrisey, laborer; Patrick Whelan, hotelkeeper, bis wife, soil and daughter; ami two civic guards were charged with murdering Griffin and conspiring .to dispose of the body. Tho Prosecutor asserted that tho missipg man was knocked down by . Casliin during a quarrel in the hotel, bin. his head hit a stove, alter which ho neither moved nor spoke. The injured man, while still living, was sewn in a blanket brought by Mrs. Whehin. placed in Gasilin's car and disposed of. There wore a number of persons present, but no one thought of sending for a doctor. The thought uppermost in all minds was they must get rid of Griffin. Accused pleaded not guilty and were remanded.)