A STRANGE CASE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1282, 27 December 1884, Page 3

A STRANGE CASE.

Win. She hm was arres'ed on Monday at Waikomito (Auckland) l>y Supennten dent Thomson and Detectives Walker and Twohey, on a charge of murdering his mother, Mrs Sheehan, his brother, Thos. Sheehan, and his sister, Mary Sheehan, in Castletown,|Roche, Ireland, in Oct., 1877. He is about 40, and is living with his wi'e and family on a farm at W-dkomito. He was recognised hya furnished description. He appeared quite unconcerned, ll will be remembered details of the murder appeared in the mail news a few weeks ago, «nd a recent Reuter cablegram stated a warrant had been issued, and that Sheehan was supposed f o be in New Zealand. Sbeehan arrived here by the Doric on her first trip to Auckland. He lias been working at (he Ray of Islands until the last two months, when he returned to Auckland. He bought a farm at Waikomito last week, ten miles from Auckland. He bears the reputation of being a steady hard-working man. He stienuously maintains his innocence, but admits he is the Win. Sheehan referred to in the newspaper accounts of the alleged minder. Ho declares his missing mother' brother and sister emigrated to America. He has never seen or heard of the newspaper reports or cablegrams, not being a reading man. On Monday night a reporter was despatched to 'interview Mrs Sheehan, and ascertain particulars as to her knowledge of her husbsnd prior to marriage. She, however, persistently refused to give any in form at ion whatever. I litre were some of her female friends with her and they supported her determination. The house in which she resides with her children is a two-roomed cottage in Punsonby, where they have resided for about two months, in fact, almost since the return of the family from the Bay of Islands. Without a personal inteiview the reporter gathered the following facts She was married to Sheehan in Castletown, Roche, about a mouth prior to the disappearance of his relations, whom he is charged with mur-

dering, and they lived on the farm for about five years. Afterwards thay rented a farm of a bom 60 acres, bur in consequence of the binil.eiy pressing for rent, they concluded to emigrate to New Zealand, and arrived in Auckland by the steamer Doric about eighteen months ago. They were paying £2 per acre rent for 60 acres of and, and the family consisted of husband and wife and two children. Mrs Sheehan is a woman of about 30 yearsof age, of robust health,and although of course greatly upset by this sudden turn of affairs is certainly self-controlled, and resolutely refuses to answer any questions. On their arrival in the colony Mr and Mrs Sheehan had two children, girls, which are now about six and four respectively, and since their arrival in Auckland another child has been born. Mr Sheehan is about 35 to 40 years of age, of medium heigh*, and well built, and has a florid complexion and dark hair. He is a respectablle ooking man, and was comfortably dressed when arrested. So far as his career in Auckland is concerned, he appears to have been temperate and industrious in his habits, and to have been of a saving turn. The personal description of Sheehan recently sent out by the Irish police authorities to Wellington, and the particulars as to his height, age and build coirespond very fairly. A detective, accompanied by a constable well acquainted with Sheehan, was expected to have arrived by the Knikonra, but they did not come, lit all probability the officers will come by the next direct boat or by some of the steamers to Australia. The detective will not only bring the warrant, but certified copies of the depositions i a ken at tt e inquest. Wm, Sheehan was brought up at the p, lice Court on Tuesday and charged with murder, and was reminded 11,1111 31st instant. He had £156 laying in deposit in tl e Bank from the -time of his| arryal in the colony until he took up a farm a few weeks ago. :