THE DARBY-STREET MYSTERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8065, 28 September 1887, Page 5

THE DARBY-STREET MYSTERY.

INQUEST ON THE BODY OP THE

INFANT.

THE MOTHER DISCOVERED, B.EA

CONFESSION. An inquest waa called at ten o'clock yesterday morning by Dr. Philson, coroner, at Gleeson's Hotel, on the body of the recentlyborn infant discovered in the allotment at the rear of the Thistle Hotel, on Monday last. The jury was sworn in, and Constable Martyn and the boy, Frederick Desson, detailed the circumstances already published respecting the finding of the body. The inquiry was then adjourned till Friday for Detectives Herbert and Doolan to make further inquiries.

The detectives soon ascertained that one of the Borvauts in the Thistle Hotel, named Mary O'Coonell, was indisposed, and further inquiries led them to charge her with having been confined, and of placing the body of the child in the allotment. The girl made a statement to the detectives of the ciroamstanues surrounding the birth of the child, which will be adduced at the adjourned inquest. Dr. Tennent states that he was called to look at the girl, the detectives thinking they had a clue. After a good deal of persuasion she was got to submit to an examination, Mrs. Coyle, her mistress, having to urge on her that it was necessary. Dr. Tennent found evidence that the' girl had recently been confined—within the last two or three days at the furtheat. She is a strong, healthy young woman, of about 24 or 25 years. Dr. Tennent wrote a letter to the medical officer of the Hospital, and the patient was taken there, but on arriving there Dr. Lindsay said the Hospital did not receive patients of this class, there being no lying-in wards, but she was at once taken to the Women's Refuge, where she now remains under Dr. Lindaay's care. The girl has without hesitation admitted having a child. She acknowledged this to Mrs. Coyle, and named the father. From what she stated, and what be had been told by others, Dr. Tennent is of opinion that the child must have been born late on Saturday night or early on Sunday morning. Mrs. Coyle noticed that she was ill on Saturday night, and sent her to bed, but she was about as usual on Sunday morning, and brought Mrs, Coyle a cup of tea, as usual. She subsequently went to church, and prepared dinner and tea, and went to church in the evening.