UNDERWORLD VENDETTA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 744, 17 August 1929, Page 11

UNDERWORLD VENDETTA

INQUEST ON VICTIM OF SYDNEY SHOOTING MAN SENT FOR TRIAL (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) SYDNEY, Friday. Sidelights on an underworld vendetta at a coroner's inquest today concerning the death of George Gaffney. Deceased was shot outside the home of James Devine, at Maroubra, at midnight on July 18. According to the evidence, Gaffney had previously shot Frank Green, and had expressed his intention of carrying the feud to the bitter end.

Devine was committed for trial on a charge of murdering Gaffney. On his behalf, a plea of justifiable homicide was entered by his solicitor. Devine said he fired in self-defence when a motor-car pulled up at his home, and shots were fired at him.

A bitter feud among rival underworld gangsters resulted in an outbreak of gunplay in Sydney districts on the night of July 17 and early in the morning of July 18. Women were prominent in the events which led up to the shooting. George Gaffney, aged 28 years, known as “Gunman Gaffney,” was fatally shot outside the residence of James Devine at Maroubra, a suburb, and Walter Tomlinson was badly wounded. On the previous night Frank G.reen was shot in the shoulder in an affray at Woolloomooloo. James Devine, 37, described as a shearer, of Long Bay Road, Maroubra, was subsequently charged with the murder of Gaffney. Frank Green and Sidney George Macdonald were charged with vagrancy. Although he knew that lie was dying, Gaffney refused to make any statements to the police or a magistrate who visited him at St. Vincent’s Hospital.