“I FORGIVE THEM”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 11 July 1927, Page 9

“I FORGIVE THEM”

O’HIGGIN’S LAST MESSAGE STORY OF THE FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE. BY CABLE- PRESS ASSOCIATION —COPYRIGHT. LONDON, July 10. _ Mr. O’Higgins left home at 11.45, accompanied by his wife, and walked leisurely in the direction of Botterslown church. When about a quarter of a mile away three men opened fire. Three of the shots struck lii.s body and one his head. “I forgive them all, lie cried to liis wife, when he was lilted into an ambulance and conveyed to his home. Dublin’s foremost doctors fought for five hours for Mr. O’Tliggins’s life. Saline transfusion was attempted, but lie was too weak to take blood transfusion, though many volunteered.

Two men named Fleming who were Living nearby, hearing the shots, rushed out and saw Mr. O’Higgius on the pavement. “That you, Devin?” asked one. “Yes,” was the reply; “I’m dying, and am at peace with my' God and my enemies.” Mr. O’Higgins then expressed a wish that liis wife and children should be provided for. Canon Brean almost immediately arrived in a motor and administered the last rites on the spot where Mr. O’Higgins had fallen, his cassock bespattered with blood, which was flowing freely from Mr. O’Higgins’s wounds.

A little girl, who was the only witness of the shooting, says that she saw a grey car, in which two men were standing, on tlie Orgin Road. A third stood near the radiator with an overcoat over his arm. —“Sydney Sun” Cable

POLICE INSTITUTE WIDE SEARCH THE MURDERED MAN’S CAREERHIS WORK FOR LAW AND ORDER. Received 12.45 p.m. to-day. LONDON, July 10. With the scantiest description on which, to work, the police have commenced a widespread search of gar ages and are holding up motor-ears over a wide area of country. Mr. O’Higgins returned from Geneva on July 8, where he was the Free State’s” representative at the NavalConference. The “Daily News” recalls that Mr--o'Higgins was Minister of Justice when 77 Republicans were executed in 1922 and 1923, including Rory O’Connor. During the recent election Mr. O Higgins defended these executions as necessary for the defence- of the State.

The “Daily Mail,” in a leader referring to Mr. O’Higgins, says : “It is an abominable crime and will bring bitter grief to all Ireland’s worthy sons. Mr. O’Higgins 1 worked faithfully and successfully for the cause of law and order, and -it i,s largely due to him that the election passed off quietly. ITis loss is 'a grave one and will be nothing short of a disaster if .it mark the opening of a new period of political out-rages.’’—-“Sydney Sun” cable. OTHER WITNESSES OF THE TRAGEDY. Received 1.50, p.m. to-day. LONDON, July 10. Professor John McNeill was -among these who witnessed the shooting. Messrs Hogan (Minister of Agriculture) and McGilligan (Minister of Commerce) were at Mr O’Higgins’,s place preparing to play golf, when they heard shot,;? and rushed to help Mr O’Higvgins. The latter was conscious till half an hour before his death, and described the attack and the attackers. — “Sydney Sun” Cab’e.