THE CASTLETOWNROCHE MURDER. Further Particulars Respecting the Alleged Murder. (From the Auckland " Star," Dec. 24.)

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 83, 3 January 1885, Page 3

THE CASTLETOWNROCHE MURDER. Further Particulars Respecting the Alleged Murder. (From the Auckland " Star," Dec. 24.)

Some further particulars, respecting the local habits and doings of William Sheehan, who is in custody on suspicion of having murderedjhis mother, siister, and brother at Castletownroohe, are now in our possession. Those who have been acquainted with the man since his arrival in Auckland, or who have been in the habit of watching him, all give him credit for extreme industry. It has been ascertained { , that he had £365 to his credit in the Bank of New Zealand since his arrival here, and thatamount wasallowed to remain on deposit ; until the purchase of the farm was made. The sum of £325 was then drawn out. Sheehan displayed a strong desire to obtain employment during his stay in town. He sought for something to do every day, and when he was given a small job he set to work with Bitch determination and alacrity that he won the good opinions of all his employers. He was not particular respecting the nature of the employment, and while ho was one day oiling the wheels of Craigs carts, the next he might have been seen helping to discharge cargo from one of the vessels at the Queen-street Wharf. It may bo imagined that Detective Walker had an uneasy time of it when his man .was so near the wharf, and employed on foreigngoing vessels by which he might have e3caped if ho had been given the least warning. The detectivo had him under daily surveillance, andsome good stories of "hairbreadth 'scapes" could no doubt be told by the officer. Sheehan was a very rapid walker, and when out for an occasional evening ramble he gave the detective all he could do to keep him in sight. One evening he took a long ramble down College Road and along the Customsstreot West reclamation road. Proceeding up Queen-street, ho met two girls, one of whom introduced herself as an acquaintance from Lismore, Ireland. Sheehan took kindly to what was evidently an "old towney," and shouted for the couple. They, however, sought to lead him from the paths ufiectitudo, and he left them in disgust. ITo lost his way when returning home that night, and seeing tho detectivo in the roar, evidently thought he was followed for the pnrpo.-e oi being robbed. Inquiring his road from a passer-by, he no sooner heard the direction given than he fled towards Vic- | toria street, leaving Detectivo Walker in the rear. The detective watched his house regularly, and overheard many an evening conversation. On one occasion the daily papers had published an account of this (JastlotowMroche murder, and thai evening | the convocation of Shcohan and his neighbour Bryan, by what appears a singular 1 coincidence, turned upon mimlera that have ltcon committed in Auckland and Ireland . Numerous horrid details of human butchciy wero related, until the detcctivo\s hair fairly bristled on end. Sheehan's compOMiro at the time of his arrest was remarkable, and during the trip into town ho remarked that he had not expected to bo able to poo "ould Ireland " ni^ain .so hoon, but when this business was over the dovernmenl would luvo 1o briny; him out to tho colony M^.iin Last, Monday, fcJheohan called at ihoKnu odicc, and handed to one of our clorkb the following advertisement: — " Wanted, a respectable Man to take charge of a Farm of 20 acres, 3 cows and poultry, about 10 miles from Auckland, near a railway station, good garden and orchard. Rent, -CIO a year ; will give work for the rent.— Apply between 5 and 6 p.m. at Stak Oilice on Monday." Sheehan Mas <i««ked for hi 3 name and address, but ho said they did not matter ; he would call himself between the hours mentioned. He was ane^ted thai afternoon, and of course could i otcomc. Thero were about forty applicants, and the icmark of- several disappointed individuals was that it was too good a thine to be genuine. The oflicers from England to take charge of Sheehan a;c daily expected, but no advices of their arrival have been received yet.