ASSASSINATION OF A DUBLIN DETECTIVE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3611, 7 February 1883, Page 4

ASSASSINATION OF A DUBLIN DETECTIVE.

On the 2_th November, at 11 o'clock at night, Dublin Avas the scene of another terrible and daring Fenian assassination. Sergeant Stratford, of the G or Detective DiA-isiou, Avith Constables Eastwood, Cox, Williams, Naughton. and Beatty, of other di.-iskms, Avcre in plain clothes on duty in Sackvillu street, looking after the dangerous characters Avho frequent some of the public-houses. This has become indispensable since the release of a considerable gang on the expiration of Mr Forster's Coercion Act, it being no longer possible to detain them as "reasonably suspected." The six detectives had divided into tAvo parties, three watching certain public-houses in Abbey street and the other three similarly occupied wtth the public-houses in North Earl street. EastAvood, avlio Avas the senior man of his party, entered Gilligan's public-house near the corner of Sackville street to have a satisfactory look at the " boys." At five minutes to 11 lie and his comrades were standing- outside the publichouse, A\-hen one of the "boys" said " Good-night," and another, putting his hand on a constable, said, " I'll send you my photograph and those' of the ' boys' doAAii to-morroAv." From the suspicious movements of the gang, avlio had separated into two parties, taking either side of Abbey street, Eastavooc! was convinced there was something up, and he sent Naughton to Earl street for Stratford and his two men, who immodiately returned with Mm. Tho desperadoes Avero at this time lounging about opposite Smith and Sons' on one side, and the offices lately occupied by the Jrich National Land League en tho

other. No sooner had the contingent of iletectiA-es appeared than a shrill whistle Avas heard, the peculiar note of Avhich is knoAvn to the police as the signal for assembly. Cox and Beatty proceeded first, Avalking slowly, followed by EastAvood, and Naughton next, the rear being brought up by Stratford and AYilliams. Three of the gang had crossed. After the whistle Avas heard they Avero joined by two others. The police crossed over after them, and as they approached one of the five said, in a loud", commanding voice, " Noav is the time; shoot them." The detective officer at the same time, cried out, " Seize the man Avith the revolver." Instantly a tall fellow stepped out from the group", aud presenting a revolver, fired, shooting Cox in the head. Cox fell forAvard grappling Avith him. EastAvood, Avho Avas immediately behind, discharged his revolver at the assassin once or twice, staggering him, and both Cox and the assassin fell heavily in the channel. Another of the gang rushed at Eastwood presenting a roA'olver, but before ho could fire Eastwood caught him by both arms, and, looking into his face said, " Deviue, don't shoot me; you know me." At that moment Eastwood's revolver Avas knocked out of his hand by another ruffian, and seeing a soldier coming with his sword draAvn, EastAvood cried out fori assistance, saying he Avas a constable. The soldier, Sergeant Thomas Delivers, of the King's Rifles, put the point of his sword to Devinc's throat, threatening his life if he attempted to stir. Deviue avcis overpoAverod, and when brought to the police station, lavo revolvers Avcre found upon him and several loose cartridges and some ammunition. Deviue is a_ house painter, who has been several times in gaol, and is knoAvn to the police as a dangerous character. Eastwood fired three or four times to keep off the crowd that . Avarmed up : he had a narrow escape himself. 'Whilst engaged witli Deviue a bullet from the assassins"wont through his hat. entering from the left, and another wont through the left sleeve of his greatcoat, without, however, wounding him. Cox. the policeman, Avas'tukcn to Jar\ is street Hospital, Avhere he was pronounced to be dead. The bullet I entered the base of the skull on the right side. Cox was a young man six foot high, and had only been four years and a half in the force, and since September last had been attached to the detective division. The assassin, Christopher Dowling, wa.s very severely Avouuded in the head, neck, shoulder, and left Avrist. Tho Avouud in the shoulder is from a bullet, and that on the head seems to be from a blow.