THE PHŒNIX PARK MURDERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2070, 18 April 1883, Page 2

THE PHŒNIX PARK MURDERS.

+ CAREY’S EXAMINATION. + Yesterday we gave a description of some of the prisoners charged the murder of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr Burke in Phoenix Park on the sth May last, and the examination of Kavanagh, the carman, at the Police Court at the little village of Kilmainham, near Dublin, on the 17th February. The appearance of James Carey in the witness-box fell like a thunderbolt upon the remaining prisoners in the dock. All the prisoners except Carey and Doyle (the latter stated to be ill) were placed in _ the dock, and charged with feloniously and unlawfully combining and confederating with others to murder certain officials of the Government, and that in pursuance of the said conspiracy, they did murder Lord F. Cavendish and Mr Burke; and that they also did assault and stab Denis Field with intent to murder him. After describing his connection with the “Irish Republican Brotherhood,” the establishment of the Irish “ Invincibles,” and giving the names of some persona marked for assassination, with his introduction to Sheridan, and how various weapons were procured, Carey describes a

VISIT BY “ NUMBER ONE.”

After M‘Caffrey left, a man, apparently in authority, came to visit me. I never knew his name. He called himself “No. 1,” and so signed notes to me. He often gave me money, and often met Curley, M'Caffrej' and myself. We had no particular day for meeting. We met nearly always at ray house, but on two or three occasions at McCaffrey's, in Peter street. When “No. I ” wanted to see me he called at my place. Dan Curley was then oar chairman. He was elected after Mullett’s arrest in M[arch, 1882. Joe Brady was chosen on the directory in Mullett’s stead.

After giving evidence as to the plans for the “ removal ” of Mr Forster and Mr Burke, Carey narrates how MR BURKB’s DEATH WAS DECREED. No. 1 was nearly always in town when these preparations were made. I never knew his name, but I know his appearance well, and would know him. if I saw him. When he said Mr Forster was not to return, he said we were to turn onr attention to Mr Bui'ke. Earl Cowper had gone with him. Up to this time in April I had not known Kavanagh. I saw him first on the 6tk of May, and a few times since. The getting of an outside car was spoken of amongst us—the “Four”—l think first by M‘Caffrey. I was in the park on sth of May. I went about half-past ten in the morning in a cab from my own door. There was no one with me. Fitzharris was the driver. In the park I met persons whom I knew opposite the Yice-Regal Lodge. “ No. 1 ” met me, afterwards Curley, Joe Brady, Pat Delaney, Tom Caffrey, Kelly, and Joe Smith. Edward M'CafFrey was never there to ray knowledge, and could not have been without it. Kavanagh, the carmaa, and Fitzharris, the cabman, were also there. We met to meet Mr Burke coming into town and “remove” him. We waited till one o’clock. Joe Brady went to Mr Burke’s gate lodge, and, returning, said he had gone to town.

THE MURDER OF LORD CAVENDISH AND MR BURKE.

On Saturday, the 6th of May, I saw Joe Smith at 3 o'clock, when he was coming out of the Castle. I spoke to him. He was going to be paid his week’s wages. I did not wait for him, but he afterwards came across to Wrenn’s public-house. There were there the men, afterwards the occupants of the car—Brady, Thomas Gaffrey, Tim Kelly, and Patrick Delaney. The horse and car with Kavanagh, of course, were there all day, and the cab a portion of the day. I took my two children with me in the cab to the quay, and opposite Arran Quay Chapel I parted from Fitzharris, telling him to go on to the King’s Bridge. I next saw him at three o’clock, near Sycamore alley. After meeting Joe Smith, I sent him to get dinner at Fleming’s, in George street. Curley went with him and paid for it. The others had previously had their dinners. I saw Kavanagh getting drink in Wrenn’s. There was very little drink taken. After that I got into the cab at the corner of Essex street; Joe Smith and Joe Hanlon got in with me. Before I started I saw the other men going towards the cab in Sycamore alley. I drove straight along the quays, crossing the last (King’s’ bridge. I left Parliament street at ten minutes to five. After crossing the bridge, the cab went straight into the park. On the way the car with the four others did not pass me. In the park the cab first pulled up at the near end of the polo ground, a little beyond the Gough Statue. I went over to look at a polo match, the others staying where the cab stopped, I-afterwards saw Michael Fagan in the Park. I saw Curley, who came to me at the polo ground. He told me to “ come over, as we do not know the moment he may be coming up.” We proceeded to the road side, where I sat on a seat, and Curley said he would send up the car so that I might give the seats. Joe Smith, who knew Mr Burke, was to remain with me to give the signal. I saw the car coming down with Kavanagh driving it. He pulled up opposite the seat where I was. He turned his horse to the road, the car to the pathway, put a nosebag on the horse, and proceeded to feed it. When I got up on his car, Kavanagh was “right enough,” but after that he appeared excited. That was when we stopped after driving away. At five minutes past seven Smith called my attention to the hour and said, “ He’s not coming,” got up from his seat, went about five yards away to the turn of the road, stopped and said, “ Here he is,” and made off up the road. I did not see any car approaching. Smith said “come on,” and made for the car, on which he got. He told Kavanagh to hurry up. Before I got on the car I saw two gentlemen together. Smith and I were on the same side of the car. We went straight towards the Pbcenix. I was on the front seat next to the horse, loft hand side as you go in. I had a white handkerchief in my hands, with which I made signals. Before we stopped we passed two men in constabulary uniform on a seat. There were seven men where we stopped, scattered about in three groups. They were Joseph Brady, Timothy Kelly, Patrick Delaney, Thomas Gaffrey, Michael Fagan, Daniel Curley, and Joseph Hanlon. Curley had charge of the arrangements. Curley asked me, “Is he coming?” I said “Xes? the man in the grey suit.” I then got off the car. Smith remained on it. after

me, He did not know what the business was. I asked Joe Brady, “ What about this man V and he said, “ Let him go to hell out of that.” I told Smith to go away, and he went off towards the Hibernian School. Afterwards a consultation was held between Curley, Brady, and I. I asked Brady « What’s to do.” “ You may go,” said he. Before I went he said “ Mind, be sure of the man in the grey suit, I started then for Island bridge. The two gentlemen were 200 yards away. Kavanagh with his car was right opposite me as I was going off. Looking back I saw two gentlemen come up about 160 yards off. I did see a car then pass down from the Phoenix, but Joe Brady told me afterwards one did. The gentlemen when they came up were allowed to pass this collection. After they had passed about 250 yards from the place where I left those men I looked round, and saw the seven men meet the two. The first three were abreast—Curley, Fagan, and Delaney. About 12 feet after them were Kelly, and Brady, and six feet behind Caffrey and Hanlon. They let the gentlemen pass through. After going a few steps further I looked round, and saw a right-about movement made by the last four. I went on a few steps further, looked again, and saw the two men in the rear getting to the front and closing on the two gentlemen. X saw one figure come in collision with the two gentlemen. This man, Joe Brady, raised his left hand and struck the man facing him. That is all I saw. I made for Island-bridge gate. It was seventeen minutes past seven o’clock. Curley came to my house that night. I afterwards met him at the corner of Holies street. I had previously heard of the murder. I asked him, “Is this true I hear of Lord Frederick Cavendish and Mr Burke being murdered 1” “ I believe it is,” said he.