The murder of a Family.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 21, 23 December 1884, Page 2

The murder of a Family.

THE MURDERER IN NEW ZEALAND. . It is authoritatively stated that the Irish police authorities are dow m possession of the entire facts relating to the mysterious murder <>£ three persons at Castletown Roche, Comity Cork, some years ago. The old man, Diiatie, who bus been m custody since the inquest on the remains of the murdered persons found iv a well, has now given information which has enabled the police to elucidate the mystery. The murdered family consisted of Mrs Sheehan (the mother), Thomas Sheehan, and Mary Sheehan (son and daughter). There was, besides these William Sheehan, an elder son, who is m Now Zealand, aud who is believed to have been the principal actor m the crime. In October, 1877, William was about to be married, and the mother, who held the land m her own name, objected to the match, believing the matrimonial consideration was not sufficient for her son. The circumstances gave rise to a great deal of bickering, and it is believed to have led to the murder of the mother with her two children. They disappeared suddenly and m a most mysterious manner on the night of October 27, 1877, and nothing whatever was heard of them until their bodies were found at the bottom of a well. The disappearance was the subject of conversation, and it was hinted that foul play had been resorted to, but William Sheehan had many friends m the locality, and they accepted his explanation that the mother and her children had gone to America, with money] |he had given them out of his marriage portion ; and they managed to hush up all the sinister rumours that were afloat. The evidence now m the possession of the authorities points to another person as being concerned m the crime, which must have been premeditated and deliberately carried out. Through Duane's information, another witness has been found who will throw important light on the case. It appears that on the day: m question, about noon, the servant girl, Margaret Eeilly, saw "William Sheehan leave the house m company with his younger brother, Thomas. She was sent away to bring a horse that was grazing on a field some distance from the house. When she returned with the horse, William Sheehan ran out of the house m an excited state without his hat, with his hair disordered and told her to take back the horse and drive up the cows. When she was leaving the house Mrs Sheehan and her daughter were there, and when she returned they were gone, and did not afterwards appear. The brother Thomas also disappeared, and Sheehan's explanation was that they had gone m a cart to Ferxnoy, to visit his aunt. Duane states that he was at work m the yard when William Sheehan sent the girl Eeilly for the horse, and that shortly after that he saw a man, whose name he has given to the police, rush into the house from the rear. He saw the girl return with the horse, and Wm. Sheehan came out without his hat, and sent her back for the cattle. Previous to this he had seen Mrs Sheehan and her daughter, but he did not know what became of them afterwards. He got from William Sheehan his brother Thomas' boots, and his wife got Mrs Sheehan's clothes. William Sheehan told him not to say where he got them from. His statement at the inquest that he saw Mrs Sheehan drive otf m a car with her children he now avers was false, and that he was told to say that by William Sheehan if he should be asked where they were. Many minor matters which go to complete the chain of circumstantial evidence have been ascertained, and the theory of the police as to the murder is that William Sheehan decoyed bis brother Thomas into an out-office and strangled him there, with the assistance of the second man, and that both returning quickly to to the dwelling, surprised the mother and daughter and strangled them, or despatched them by some other means. Neither Duane nor the servant girl heard any noise. The third witness who has come forward will give evidence as to the removal ot the bodies at night, and he, it is believed, will be able to identity the parties engaged m the ghastly work. It is expected if William Sheehan has not been alreadyjarrested, that he will shortly be m the hands ot justice. Of the second man little is known at present, but if he be secured it is possible the case will be ripe for the spring assizes. Later. THE SUPPOSED MURDERER AR. RESTED AT AUCKLAND. (united press association.) Auckland, Dec. 23. William Sheehan \>as arrested to-day at Waikomiti by Superintendent Thomson and detectives Walker and Tueohey on a charge of murdering his mother (Mrs Sheehan), his brother (Thomas Sheehan), and sister (Mary Sheehan), m Castletown Roche, Ireland, m October, 1877. He is about 40 years of age, and was living with his wife and family at Waikomitit He was recognised by a furnished description, .and when arrested he appeared unconcerned. It will be remembered the details of the murder appeared m the mails a few weeks ago, and a recent Reuter oablegram stated, that a warrant had been issued and that Sheehan was supposed to be m New Zealand, Latest. Sheehan arrived by the Doric on her first trip to Auckland and had been working at the Bay of Islands until the last 2 months when he returned to Auckland. He had bought a farm last week at Waikomiti ten miles from Auckland, ] bears the reputation of a steady hard working: man. He strenuously maintains his innocence, but he admits he is the William Sheehan referred to m the newspaper accounts of the alleged murders. He declares his missing mother, brother, and sister, emigrated to America. He had never seen or heard of the newspaper reports or cablegram, not being a reading man. Mrs Sheehan refuses to give any information whatever as to any knowledge of her husband prior to marriage, but the following facts were gathered :— She was married to Sheehan m Castletown Roche about a month prior to the disap-. pearancq of bis relatiy.es ar^d lived qn the fern fo.r about five years afterwards. They rented a farm of about 60 acres but Jn consequence of their landlady pressing tor rent they concluded to emigrate to New Zealand and arrived 18 months ago. The family consisted of the husband, wife, find two chijdren, Mtb Sheehan is a woman of 80 years of age, of robust habit and although upset is self-controlled, and resolutely refuses to answer any questions. The children are girls six and four years respectively. Since their arrival m Auckland another child was born. Sheehan is about 35, medium well built, of florid complexion, dark hair, respectable looking and comfortably dressed. The description ot Sheehan recently sent out by Irish police to authorities m Wellington and corresponds fairly. The officer who is coming out will bring the warrant and certified (jppiespfdgppsifipngaf thj iftytygef, ' "