FEARFUL STRUGGLE WITH A MANIAC.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5099, 21 May 1885, Page 2

FEARFUL STRUGGLE WITH A MANIAC.

A terrible struggle occurred on March 21 in Limerick, a returned emigrant named William M'Cormack succeeded in cutting his throat in the presence of two constable!, whom he wounded, as well as one of the two men who had been in charge of him. M'Cormack, [who lost an eye and a leg in the American War, resided for some time with his mother, the owner of a public* house at the corner of Colooney and Edward Streets. On March 21 his manner becoming strange, two menjwere placed in charge of him. During the night ho secured two razors, and his attendant becoming alarmed sent for the police. Sergeant Phelan and Constable Meehan soon arrived, and found M'Cormack, sitting on a bed with a razor in each hand. Not being very demonstrative, the police did not think it prudent to rush upon him, but suddenly the man drew a razor across his throat cutting it from ear to ear. The constables then threw themselves upon M'Cormack, who, though blood flowed copiously from his wound, straggled desperately. He struck one of his attendants named Manning with his head in the stomach, and with such force that he fell on his knees. While in this position he gave him two fearful gashes with a razor in the face, and he also wounded Sergeant Phelau and Constable Meehan in the hands. Ultimately, and after the maniac had inflicted "several other wounds on those in combat with him, he was overpowered, and the razors wrested from his grasp. Dr. Myles subsequently attended and stitched the wounds in the throat The man still lives, and, strange to say, seems not to have lost his strength, notwithstanding his frightful wound. ,