TRIPLE EXECUTION

Patea Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 1008, 12 March 1883, Page 2

TRIPLE EXECUTION

IN GALWAY.

(Home paper, Feb 21.) The execution of Patrick Higgins for complicity in the murders of Joseph and John' Buddy at Cloughbrack, took place on Monday morning within Galway Gaol. It will be remembered that Joseph Buddy, aged 70, and his grandson, aged 17, left their home at Creevagh on Jan. 3 last year to serve ejectment processes in . the district of Cloughbrack, on the shores of Lough Mask. They were last seen alive proceeding down the “ boreen,” or lane, leading past Patrick Higgins’ house, and their bodies were discovered some three weeks later at the bottom of the Lough. Patrick Higgins was convicted with two other men, Michael Flynn and Thomas Higgins. From the time that he was informed there was no hope of a reprieve, Patrick Higgins has been most attentive to the religious admonitions of the Rev. Father Greaves, the chaplain of the gaol. The latter led the way to the scaffold, and immediately following him was Higgins, coatless and hatless, with a warder on each side of him. Marwood, the executioner, came next, having his nand on the sirup winch bound the culprit’s arras. As he emerged from the. cell, Higgins, who was a stalwart fellow of 68 years, although he looked much younger, nodded his head twice or thrice to the little knot of press representatives and gaol officials who were awaiting his appearance. He walked quickly along the pathway towards the enclosed quadrangle where the scaffold stood, so. quickly, indeed, that one of his gaolers admonished him for his haste, and told him to walk a little slower, or the priest would not be able to keep up with him. The scaffold was the same upon which Patrick Joyce, Patrick Casey, and Myles Joyce, the Maamtrasna murderers, were hanged. The executioner placed the noose quickly round Higgins’ neck. He then stepped back, and at two minutes past 8 o’clock drew the bolt, and in an instant Higgins had ceased to .live. At 11 o’clock the formal inquest was held at the gaol. Shortly afterwards the body was interred within the prison walls. On Wednesday morning, Thomas Higgins and Michael Flynn were hanged in Galway Gaol. The culprits were the chief actors in that dreadful deed. It was proved at the trial that they were the men who “ put shots into” the body of old Buddy after he had been felled by Patrick Higgins, who after accomplishing their fell pursued and similarly despatched Huddya grandson. On receiving sentence of death, both men protested their entire innocence of the crime, Flynn being the loudest in his assertions of guiltlessness.

Flynn’s bold demeanour at the conclusion of his trial soon disappeared, and both he and Thomas Higgins have for

the most part been latterly very attentive to the religions advice of the Rev. Father Greaves. The convicts were allowed to see their wives and relatives on four occasions during the month in which they occupied the condemned cells, and the last interview took place on the 12th, since which time Higgins had given way to despair. He was only twenty years of age, and his young wife gave birth to a child about a fortnight ago. Michael Flynn was about 44 years of age. He also was married and had several children. On Wednesday, Higgins appeared first, looking very pale and worn, while closely following him and preceding the priest was Michael Flynn, his features exhibiting the pallor which, judging from his appearances at his trial, was his normal complexion. He slightly nodded to the group of privileged spectators as he emerged from the doorway, but immediately afterwards confined his attention to the ministrations of the chaplain, repeating rapidly the response to the service for the dead. Higgins seemed partially stunned at the realisation of his awful position, and did not seem to be able to open his lips. He walked steadilj enough up the dozen wooden steps which ied to the scaffold, merely giving an appealing glance upwards as he - did so; _ Marwood placed him beneath the of the beam from which Patrick Higgins was hanged on Monday, strapped his legs, and threw the cap over his face- The executioner then placed Flynn next to him, and, after securing him in a like manner, put the halter round his neck. After placing the rope round the neck of Higgir.s, Marwood quickly stepped to tfie end pf the drop and drew the bolt, both men appear*

ing to die instantly. It was generally believed that Flynn would make a statement on his way to the scaffold. A report was also circulated to the effect that Higgins would have something to say ; but neither of the men made the slightest reference to the crime.