February 17, 2011

1911

Ghastly deedWhat has been justly described as one of the most cruel and callous murders that ever stained the annals of Co. Galway took place at Killeenamunterlane, a little way beyond Kilcolgan on the road to Ballinderreen, shortly after half-past six o’clock on the night of February 9.

Patrick Sheehan, farmer and bachelor, aged sixty-four, living alone in a small thatched cottage at Drumacoo, and holding something over 60 acres of land, left Kilcolgan just as night fell on the evening of the tragedy with a parcel of bread, and within a qurter mile of his home, two shots were fired in rapid succession from behind the Tyrone demesne wall, the first, it is supposed, entered the right temple, causing a terrible wound and instantly killing Sheehan, who fell dead amongst the briars on the left side of the road.

The only motive that can be assigned for the terrible crime is that sixteen years ago, under a written but unstamped agreement, Sheehan took from Mrs Bridget Glynn, a widow, of Newtown, Kilcolgan – who was then threatened with eviction by the agent of the St. George estate owing £32 arrears of rent – five acres of land at Newtown and four at Killeenamunterlane, paying her £3 and promising to “give back possession of said lands whenever Mrs Glynn is in a position to redeem them”.

Some years afterward, Mrs. Glynn demanded possession of the lands, but owing to the difficulties that arose, this was not conceded. The Sheehans had been partly boycotted since, and on three distinct occasions, “Patsy” was fired at.

Four sensational arrests were effected by the Kilcolgan police, and the following men were remanded: George Graham, farmer and publican, Kilcolgan; Martin Moran, farmer, Killeenamunterlane; Michael Glynn, farmer, Newtown and John Coen, caretaker’s son, Tyrone. So far, no evidence has been produced against these men connecting them with the crime.

1936

Care of insaneRapid progress has been made with the new auxiliary mental hospital buildings at Ballinasloe, the sewerage work for which is now in progress. To date, £117,900 has been paid towards the hospital and the auxiliary at Castlerea from the Hospitals Sweepstakes Fund. It is expected that part of the buildings will be completed this year.

There is no hope of there being a reduction in the annual admissions lists; this shows an increase from year to year. Extra expenditure in connection with the running of the new hospital auxiliary is also anticipated; the segregation of the patients when the new buildings are opened in twelve or eighteen months’ time will entail additional expenses and probably an increased staff.

Terrible blizzardMidday on Monday saw the commencement of a blizzard that will go down in Connemara as the fiercest ever experienced in the area. Driven on an eighty-mile-an-hour easterly gale, snow had fallen to a depth of several inches before sunset. The force of the wind was such as to make standing out of doors an impossibility. Throughout Monday evening, it was impossible to stir out of doors at all. Later in the night, the terrible wind was accompanied by a frost which froze the snow where it fell.

Until Tuesday morning, the storm continued to rage with unabated fury. Many people in the area who have experienced great snowstorms in America said that outside of the United States or Canada, they had never experienced anything approaching the ferocity.

Spring wheatIt is quite likely that owing to the wet autumn and winter that the acreage of winter wheat in the Irish Free State may have to be supplemented with sowings of spring sown varieties. It is important for the farmer to bear in mind that winter varieties will not ripen if sown during the season when spring wheats are normally sown.

Potato demandFive shillings to 5s. 6d. per cwt. was the price quoted for good quality potatoes in the Dublin market during the week. In Connemara, prices have risen and remain firm. Bad weather conditions have resulted in a slight shortage of supplies, but this is said to be only temporary. Meanwhile, Connemara potatoes are fetching remarkably good prices in Galway. This is attributed to the increased demand for Irish potatoes in the British markets. There is still a serious shortage of potatoes in Britain.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.