Galway in Days Gone By
Galway In Days Gone By – Double Tragedy
1914
Double tragedy
(By special telegram)
A shocking double tragedy was perpetrated at a field in Parke, about a quarter of a mile from Athenry, last evening, when Michael Murphy, a thirty-five year old farmer, residing at Belville, about five miles from here, hacked the throat of his young wife with an ordinary barber penknife, and, then, it is supposed, committed suicide.
The dreadful affair has sent a thrill of horror throughout the entire countryside, and this morning is the sole topic of conversation.
I have just returned from the scene of the tragedy, where the remains of the couple, who were married only three months ago, lay side by side in two oak coffins. A policeman on guard, and a small crowd surround the scene.
About twelve months ago, Katie Lally, then daughter of a Knockbrack farmer, returned from the United States, where she had been for nine years. She was regarded as one of the best-looking women in the district. Tall, fair, and about 30 years of age, her hand was sought by Murphy. She had a small fortune, which she had brought from the States and this was supplemented by her father’s dowry. He, too, was well off and married life opened up for the young couple with every hope of happiness and prosperity.
Recently, however, it has been noted that he has been somewhat strange in manner. No motive can be ascribed, save that the dreadful deed was the outcome of a fit of insanity, and this is the general belief held locally.
Docks expansion
At a meeting of Galway Harbour Board, Mr. Martin McDonogh, J.P., said they would never have a proper port in Galway until larger vessels could enter, and the outside of the docks was deepened.
Large consignments were shipped from various places to Galway, but the cargoes had to be transhipped into smaller vessels, which greatly increased the expense. Nowadays, if large vessels could not get into the docks of local ports, such ports were done.
1939
Patient drowned
A verdict of death from drowning was returned at a coroner’s inquest at Ballinasloe Mental Hospital on Saturday on a female patient who rushed into the River Suck at the back of the asylum and was drowned.
The promptitude of Attendant James Nolan, who heard the nurses whistle for help, and who rushed for a boat with which he took the patient from the river, was highly commended by the jury, who added a rider that no blame was attached to any member of the staff or the patients for the tragedy.
Death of Patrick McHugh
The death of Mr. Patrick McHugh, general merchant, The Square and High-street, Tuam, which occurred on Sunday last, removes the oldest and one of the best known and most popular figures in Tuam.
The late Mr. McHugh, who was a native of Ballaghbawn, Belclare, was associated with the business life of Tuam for almost seventy years. Although he took no direct part in politics, he was a life-long Nationalist.
During the Black and Tan regime, he was visited on one occasion by an armed party of Auxiliaries and told that if he did not get the name in Irish over the shop door removed and the name put on in English, the shop would be blown up.
Mr. McHugh, however, stood out against all threats and refused to have his name in Irish removed. It was typical of his steadfast and honourable character, which endeared him to all who knew him.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
1923
Training ex-soldiers
A meeting of the committee of Galway Technical Institute was held on Tuesday, Mr. Eraut presiding.
The secretary, Dr. Webb, stated that there was a deputation outside from the Galway Carpenters’ Society in reference to the offer made by the Ministry of Labour to the committee to have up to 100 ex-soldiers trained in the institute in various crafts from joinery to thatching houses and making tin cans.
The difficulty he foresaw in regard to the scheme was to train maimed ex-solders and for this the Ministry of Labour was willing to give the committee 15s. per head per week. It was a money-making scheme so far as that committee was concerned, and would result in bringing a good deal of money into the city, because there would also be certain allowances for the wives and dependents.
He estimated that it would mean something like £200 or £300 per week. It was a question for the committee whether they would provide these classes. He had inquired from an authoritative source whether the training of these men would be likely to interfere with the employment of the recognised carpenter, and he was informed in the negative.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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1923
Islanders’ distress
A correspondent sends authentic particulars of distress prevailing in the Islands of Aran. There is extreme poverty in Inishmore, especially in Killeany; large numbers in the village are on the verge of starvation, kept alive by the charity of neighbours, with scarcely a healthy child amongst them.
The people own no land, notwithstanding that the Congested Districts Board has a large tract; they fish and labour when the former is profitable or practicable and when the work can be found. To-day they are without either.
Similar stories come from other island villages. Yet last October Mr. Blythe stated in the Dáil that £1,000 had been granted for the relief of distress on the islands. The money was placed at the disposal of the Galway Rural District Council, which refused to have anything to do with the scheme.
Accordingly, the grant was never made. It is alleged that the inhabitants of Inishmore have refused to pay rates, but islanders state in reply that rates were not collected for some two years, nor were demand notes issued. The whole position is so grave that it should be looked into without further delay, and we understand that all the circumstances have been referred to Deputy O’Connell for this purpose.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
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The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
1923
Narrow escape
A party of four men, who arrived in the village in a motor-car, engaged in a murderous attack on the barracks occupied by the unarmed Civic Guard at Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, about three a.m. on Wednesday.
Shots and bombs were fired through the windows, and some of the sleeping guards had narrow escapes from bullets, and subsequently had to dash through the petrol-inspired flames for safety.
The village is a peaceable one, and the Guards have recently been carrying out their work in it with quiet efficiency. During the recent warfare, there had been no disturbance in the neighbourhood.
The Guards retired as usual on Tuesday night, and about three a.m. on Wednesday morning they were awakened by the crash of rifles.
A moment later flames sprang up, and it was seen that the barracks had been sprinkled with petrol and fired. Bombs were first fired through the windows, then petrol was thrown in, and the place was set on fire.
The small body of four Guards found themselves compelled to seek shelter from the bullets, and then they had to make a dash to escape the flames that were springing up around them.
Sergeant Rodgers had an exceedingly narrow escape, a bullet grazing his head. Guard Grimes was sleeping beneath a window when it was broken and petrol thrown over his head.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App
Download the Connacht Tribune Digital Edition App to access to Galway’s best-selling newspaper.
Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
Or purchase the Digital Edition for PC, Mac or Laptop from Pagesuite HERE.
Get the Connacht Tribune Live app
The Connacht Tribune Live app is the home of everything that is happening in Galway City and county. It’s completely FREE and features all the latest news, sport and information on what’s on in your area. Click HERE to download it for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, or HERE to get the Android Version from Google Play.
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