Phoenix Park Murders.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 113, 20 April 1883, Page 3

Phoenix Park Murders.

IDENTIFYING THE MURDERERS. SCENE IN COCJRT. The excitement m Dublin and more especially at Kilmainham, when the charge of being concerned m the Phoenix Park assassinations was first openly formulated against a number of the Leaguers now m custody, beggars description. The special correspondent of the London Observer wired to his journal as follows :— •' From an early hour the approaches to the County Court-house at Kilmainham were thronged with a surging crowd, struggling, and almost fighting their way through the cordon of policemen who jealously guarded the doorway of the Court, and only allowed reporters, members of the Bar, and the holders of tickets signed by the Chief Commissioner of Police to enter. The interior of the Court was crowded m every part. Amongst the spectators were most of our prominent public officers. Mingled with them were some members of the nobility, and here and there might be seen persons whose relatives had fallen victims to assassins' bullets and knives fin Ireland during the past two or three yearp. At a quai ter past twelve several policemen entered the court, bringing with them eight of the men who had on the previous occasions been charged wtth con« spiracy to murder, some of the eight having been charged with che attempt to assassinate Mr Field. Immediately on the prisoners being placed m the dock, Mr Murphy stated that the prisoners were charged whh the murder of Lord Cavendish and Mr Burke on tbe 6th of May last. This statement, made by the leading Crown Prosecutor m grave sonorous tones, created intense excitement m Court, as it was not supposed that the direct charge of murder would be made .at tbis stage of the inquiry. Some of the prisoners on hearing the charge laughed, but their jocularity seemed forced, strained, and almost prearranged. M'Caffery and Peter Carey, against whom hitherto there was but little evidence, seemed greatly altered m their appearance and hearing, and did not join m the strained merriment. The first witness called was John Fitzsimmons, who after some delay was brought into Court, and advanced to the- witness' chair. He is a man past middle age, with grey hair, and intelligent expression. He had the appearance of a respectable tradesman, and he gave his evidence m a very careful manner. He described the finding of knives and a lifle m the loft m Carey's house, and after considerable, scrutiny identified, the newly-eleoted 'working man's Town Councillor, who had been sitting m front. of the dock m a listless indifferent attitude. On being, identified, however, his manner changed. He stood up, and listened to the farther evidence of the witness with great attention. Peter Carey was also identified by Fitzsimmons, after a still longer scrutiny and delay. He had been standing at the back of the dock, and the witness seemed to be very nearsighted. Peter Carey came forward to the front of the dock after he was idenli fied. A thrill of horror ran through the crowded Court when Mr Murphy saM 1 produce that rifle and those knives,' and eager expectancy was mark*ed on every countenance as a detective ad* vanced to the table with a Winchester 9-shot repeating rifle and a bundle wrapped m a glazed cover. Even some of the prisoners leaned forward with eager curiosity. The bundle was opened amidst a dead silence, and Mr Murphy handed to the witness two knives with long glittering blacks and short black handles. These weapons are, as described by Drs Porter and Myles, the Burgical instruments known as large amputation knives, with blades about eleven inches long and threequarters of an inch broad, narrowing to a point. The handles are three or four inches long, and are scored; for the purpose of giving a secure grip to an operator. After the production of the knives, James Carey consulted with his solicitor, but the witness Fitzsimmons was not cross-examined. Inspector Smith, who, o£ the information of Fi>zsimmons, found the weapons m Carey's loft, was next examined. He was dressed m plain clothes, and advanced to the table with the Winchester re« peatiug rifle m his hand. The Inspector is a tali man, about forty years of age. He has a broad, high forehead, deepset eyes, and jet Hack beard. His manner was self-possessed as he detailed the finding of the weapons and the showing of the knives to Drs Porter and Kavanagh. This witness was not cross-examined. Then followed the horrifying details of the fearful wounds inflicted by tbe murderers. Surgeon Porter--a tall, slight, elderly gentleman, with fair complexion and silver hair described m deep, full tones the appearance of the mutilated bodies of the murdered secretaries. Mr Murphy held up beforo the witness one of the deadly glittering knives found m Care/s house, and asked if the wounds he described would be made by such a weapon. The Surgeon m Ordinary to the Queen m Ireland said they would, and explained that some of the injuries must have been made by knives having a great length of blade, such as the one produced.