SHOCKING MURDER IN IRELAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4333, 8 February 1875, Page 3

SHOCKING MURDER IN IRELAND.

(From the Glasgow Herald, November 28.) A horrible murder has taken place in the North of Ireland. The person who has lost his life is an old farmer named Edward McKee, who resided about a mile from Castlewellau, County Down. He lived alone, his wife being dead, and his two sons having emigrated some time since—one to America, the other to Australia. He had a farm of about eight acres. The deceased man was of a somewhat peculiar turn of; mind, lived a very secluded life, and seldom associated with any person. He was of a most inoffensive disposition. In addition to attending his farm, it is stated that he also acted occasionally as forester for Lord Annesley. He was last seen alive at four o’clock on Friday, last week, digging potatoes on his farm. On Saturday evening, a young woman named Margaret Matier, a niece, called to see him, and this led to the discovery of the murder. On entrance being effected, he was found lying in a pool of blood, his head having been literally battered to a pulp with a hatchet, which lay beside him. It had been rumored lately that McKee had got a sum of money from one of his sons, and it was also known that he was making up his rent. It is believed that the murder was committed by some person residing wit Mu reach of these rumors. The coroner's inquest was held on Monday. After receiving the evidence, the jury returned a verdict of murder against some person or persons unknown.—At the Belfast Police Court on Tuesday, before Mr. J. C. O’Donnell, a rough-looking fellow, names Edwin J. Coates, was brought up in custody of Sub-Constable Graynor, charged on suspicion with having been concerned in the murder at Castlewellan. The constable stated that he arrested the prisoner on Sunday morning, between one and two o’clock, on suspicion of being implicated in the murder. He answered the description of the murderer, and when witness arrested him he refused to give any satisfactory account of himself. Mr. O’Donnell —I hear there is another man arrested ? Constable Stuart Carroll said there was. He arrested the man Nixon from the description given by the Downpatrick police. ■ Mr. O’Donnell Did you arrest him on suspicion ? Constable Carroll — No; his name and description were s°nt down from Downpatrick, and I was directed to arrest him specially. The accused was ultimately ordered to stand aside until Sub-Inspector Harrell could be communicated with. He applied for a remand of Nixon, and requested Sub-Inspector Harrell would be communicated with. When Sub-Inspector Harrell appeared in court he applied for a remand of Nixon, and requested that Coates should be discharged. Coates was accordingly released. A man named Maginnis, a pedlar, was taken into custody on Monday in Newcastle, County Down, on a similar charge, and on Tuesday, Edward McKee, nephew of the deceased, was arrested. He was seen near where the murder was committed on Friday after five o’clock. He states that he went thei-e for potatoes, which he could have procured next door, although the place he went to is two miles distant. He has been in embarrassed circumstances for some time past.