LONELY COTTAGE OUTRAGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 January 1925, Page 14

LONELY COTTAGE OUTRAGE.

REMARKABLE STORY OF MIDNIGHT INTRUDER. Behind a terrible tragedy which has just shocked the inhabitants of the little township of Fedamore, in County Limerick, lies one of the most remarkable stories that has ever come to light. Early one morning, a labourer’s wife, Mrs. Walsli, rushed to the local police station and'informed the officer on duty that a had been commit? ted in her house. Late the previous night, she said, somebody demanded iidmittan.ee to the cottage, but was.refused. The knocking continued for some time. This develo]>ed into heavy blows, and eventually the door crashed in.

A moment later, a man appeared ip the opening, and rushing to the bed in which Walsh was lying, ordered him to get up and go into the kitchen. Accompanied by Mrs'. Walsli, and’ followed closely by the mysterious stranger, lie complied with the command. Following this, the midnight intruder ordered that the lamp which was burning brightly, should either be extinguished or dimmed..

Wondering at the strange turn of events, Mrs. Walsh refused when the stranger swung round and struck her oil the left eye. Turning on the husband, the raider stunned him with a heavy stick, and, drawing a revolver, shot him as lie lay helpless on the floor. Throughout _ the remainder of the night, Mrs. Walsh remained beside the body pf her murdered husband. When questioned as to why she did not inform, the police, at once, it is stated, the woman said she was restrained by fear as the murderer had* warned her not to leave the house

That is one version of the scene in the effttage. but there is another which states that the unfortunate man was actually beaten to death. . A young mam, who has been taken into the custody in connection*• with the affair, js a nephew of Walsh. On the strength of _ a statement made by the prisoner, it is stated a woman has also been arrested. That woman is Walsh’s widow.