THE IRISH MURDER

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1927, Page 2

THE IRISH MURDER

SCENE OF TRAGEDY. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, July 10. The Hon Kevin O’Higgins’s attackers chose for their crime the crossroads in Sans Souci Avenue, which is known by the ominous name of “The Dark Corner,” because it is thickly overhung by trees. The attackers ear was last seen going at a terrible speed along the Donnyhrook Road. The tragedy is the more poignant in view of the assassination ot Alt 0 Higgins’s father. Doctor O’Higgins, in 1923. at the hands of seven armed men. The father. Dr O Higgins, though aged 70 years tried to wrest a revolver from the hands of the leader on that occasion, hut the otlieis riddled him with bullets. Air Kevin O'Higgins had a narrow escape from death only in May last. He and President Cosgravo were addressing their opening election mooting in O'Connel Street, in Dublin, and i Republicans present repeatedly hissed ! them. Then. from the noisy quarter, a ! small bomb was hurtled. ITowever. Brigadier-General Daly caught t bonvb like a cricketer, and then stamped out the fuse.

When ATr O’Higgins was carried into his house lus vitality was such that his wife and his other friends at the bedside seemed to he more stricken than the dying man. who had even made his will. He spoke also to everyone individually. He asked for his children, who were out walking with their nurse. Later, his two girls were brought to his bedside, and their father kissed them farewell. Then lie relapsed into unconsciousness.

Almost- his last words were: ‘‘l die for my country, and I go to join Michael Collins.”

Air O’Higgins was regarded as the •strong mail of the Free State Government. He possessed immense energy, ami during the last election he spoke in practically every constituency, and he made it- a point to face every heckler. He was always provided with police protection, but he evaded his guardians as often as possible. His courage gave his murderers every opportunity. LONDON. July 10. Hon Air Hogan. Professor Eoin AlcNoill. and other Free State Almisters, were at Air O’Higgins’s house and they rushed out at. the sound if the shots. A detective usually accompanied Air O’Higgins to A lass, hut on this occasion the detective had been sent on an errand. The assailants’ car was well disguised. While Air Fleming soughtfor assistance. Professor Ale Neill knelt on tho pavement and wrote Ai r O’Higgins’s will, at Air Higgins’s dictation, "hidi the bystanders then witnessed.

A DETERMINED AITRDER. LONDON. July 11

Tiie official acTnunt of the murder of Mr O’Higgins states that the motor car used was owned by Captain McDonnell. It was stolen in Dublin on Saturday night. Then- is no information as to whore the car was kept before mid-day on Sunday, when it was driven from Blackrnek Road to Booeearslown Avenue.

Five men were engaged in the murder, two of whom were scouts. and they signalled when Air O’Higgins was observed coming down the road. Three of the men fired when he turned a corner, and he fell to the footway beside n lamp (lost.

The men then made for the car, assuming that lie was dead. Mr O'Higgins raised his hand slightly. Thereupon tiie men returned, each firing further shots. One shot penetrated bis bead through the ear. and another struck him above the heart, while a third pierced the abdomen.

MOTIVE OF REVENGE? LONDON. July 11

It is most significant that the late Mr O'Higgins, as Minister of Justice, was responsible for the administration of the law during 1922 and 1923, when there were 77 executions of the Irregulars.

It is generally believed that this is the explanation of the murder. Apropos of the late Mr O’Higgius’s sense of duty. Mr J. H. Thomas, the British Labour M.P.. tells of how Mr o’Higgins had his bosom friend, Ihc late Rory O’Connor, charged in connection with the siege at the Four Courts in Dublin. Every effort was made to obtain a respite from the death sentence for O’Connor, as he had been Mr O’Higgins's best man at his wedding loss than six months before. A.s being the Minister responsible for the executions, Mr O'Higgins only replied—“lie must die to-morrow morning."

Mr Thomas added that Mr O’Higgins then sat up throughout the night and when the message came |thnt his friend had been shot. O’Higgins collapsed. The climax came when Rory O'Connon’s will was lead. He left everything he had to the O'Higgins family.

From the first, the doctor knew death was only a matter of hours. Dir O'Higgins himself had no doubt. There was a wound in front of the right ear. the bullet ('"bring near the brain. There were two wounds in the neck and four in the chest, one bullet remaining slightly above the heart.

The car used by the assassins was a Morris Crowley, v.dlieh had been stolen, but they had faked the number, suggesting that it belonged to the Government.

PRESIDENT’S TRIBUTE. LONDON, July 11. Mr O’Higgins's assailants (Trove off in a car. which was later found abandoned at Milltown. General Duffy, Commander of the Civic Guard, sooke to Mr O’Higgins at his bedside for a few minutes, and discussed the position which bad ai is-

Tho Vice-President's last words to General Duffy were: “] am dying! Good-bye! We have done good work. Continue on the same lines. 1 forgive my murderers!’’ He then added a message for his wife. LONDON. July 11. President Cosgrave has issued a statement to the public, in which he said that Mr O’Higgins was the second Minister of State who had been struck down by an assassin. He continues:—“ln this hour of national loss, the Irish people will not falter. Mr O’Higgins, in dauntless courage, lias trodden the path blazed by Arthur Griffith and Michael Collins, even unto death. The Trish people may rest assured that the assassin's bullet will not succeed in terrorising the country. Men will be heartened by the noble example of Mr O’Higgins to maintain his high traditions of devotion to the welfare of the nation.” LONDON. July H.

The Irish Republican Army has announced that it repudiates any responsibility for the outrages on the late Kevin--O’Higgins. LONDON. July 11.

The Times, in a leading article, says: The cold-blooded shooting of the Vice-President was the ghost of evil days returning. It lias rudely shattered the illusion that the legacies of hatred have been paid. It proclaims to Ireland that time ;has still much healing work to accomplish. Mr O’Higgins repeatedly risked bis life for his country’s cause, ns be saw :t;

first, as the foe of Britain, and then as the foremost champion of tho Treaty. He lived and wrought powerfully and set his country on tho lines which he thought best. In dying, lie would regard a large measure of achievement. While President Cosgravo and his colleagues will have difficulty in finding a substitute, their hands are likely to he strengthened, in the eyes of 'their countrymen.