IRISH RECTOR'S MURDER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12266, 9 May 1903, Page 2 (Supplement)

IRISH RECTOR'S MURDER.

MANSERVANT SENTENCED TO BE

HANGED.

A remarkable trial at Cork Assizes, involving the charge against Andrew Moore of having murdered the Rev. William Bell, Protestant rector of Kilmeen, County Cork, on November 1, 1902, terminated on March 21 with the* prisoner's conviction and condemnation ,to death. Prisoner, a young man of about 28, had pleaded " Not guilty."

The Solicitor-General, for the prosecution, said that on November 1 last, about six o'clock in the evening, Mr. Bell, who was a man about 41 years of age, in the prime of life, was seen cycling towards the rectory, He was never again seen alive. About halfpast seven one of the maids, a girl named Maggie Mahony, was in the lower yard, where she found prisoner, who was a servant in Mr. Bell's employment. The girl returned to the house with prisoner, who left shortly afterwards. Fifteen minutes later the hay-barn broke out in flames. Moore when summoned burst open the door, which had the effect of fanning the fire into greater fury. It was not until ten o'clock that an entrance to the barn was obtained, when the partially consumed body of Mr. -Bell was discovered in the debris. The head was entirely missing. About ten days before this occurrence the prisoner had procured a revolver and twelve cartridges from a Birmingham firm. Deceased had been shot through the brain. The SolicitorGeneral said that prisoner had the most powerful motive that could (animate the mind of man. He had got into his head the extraordinary delusion, or hallucination, that Mr. Bell was carrying on an adulterous intrigue with his wife, and had made statements to that effect to several people.

Evidence was then given by Crown witnesses in support of the Solicitor-General's opening statement. A fortnight before the murder prisoner told James Stanley, a farmer, that Mat. Mahony declared that Mr. Bell was making free with accused's wife. Subsequently accused contradicted the story that Mahony had given him the information.

Voluminous statements written in gaol by prisoner for the press, and which were intercepted, were read. Prisoner suggested that Mr. Bell met his death owing to the explosion of a defective lantern which he was carrying while inspecting a hay-barn and the consequent ignition of the hay. These statements were now produced for.the first time.

The judge commented strongly on the action of the Crown in withholding the statements so long. For the defence it was stated Mr. Bell told a policeman he wished prisoner to purchase a revolver. 1

Prisoner was convicted and sentenced to be hanged on April 18. _ Prisoner said he hoped that in the meantime the King and Lord Lieutenant would consider the case and take steps in the matter of a reprieve.