TRAGEDY AT THAMES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20961, 26 August 1931, Page 10

TRAGEDY AT THAMES.

MAN ATTACKS GIRL.

THEN COMMITS SUICIDE.

STORY TOLD AT INQUEST.

JEALOUSY OF THE DECEASED

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES. Tuesday. A tragedy occurred in Queen Street last evening. Daniel Sylvester Moloney, a married man, who recently resided at Hikutaia, cut his throat fatally, after wounding a young woman, Ivy Charlotte Robinson, who resides with her mother and sister in Queen Street, -close to the Karaka Creek. It appears that Moloney who was about 35 years of age, had not been living with his wife, who with their two children, resides at Paeroa, He had for some time been very friendly with Miss Robinson, a friendship that had not been looked upon too kindly by Mrs. Robinson, who had asked her daughter to break off her relations with Moloney. It was apparently in an endeavour to influence the girl not to do this that Moloney visited the house last evening. A sister, Sylvia, was present in the kitchen part of the time and heard Moloney pleading with Ivy to make it up again. Sylvia left the room and later heard her sister scream. She returned to the kitchen and attempted to get Maloncy away from her sister, who was able to rush out on to the footpath. Mrs. Robinson was ill in bed. She also heard her daughter scream and came out of the bedroom into the kitchen. Moloney cut his throat in front of her horrified gaze, falling forward on the sofa and expiring shortly afterwards.

Arrival of the Police.

In tho meantime Sylvia had run along Queen Street to the police station, where Constable Kennedy, who was on duty, obtained Sergeant MacNarnara and went to the scene of the tragedy. When they arrived at the gate Ivy Robinson was found lying on the footpath and Dr. Liggins, who lives near, was called, He found her to bo suffering from a gash in the throat caused by a razor arid after attention had been given her she was able to return home.

Moloney was beyond help. He was a man of particularly powerful physique. At one time he owned a passenger and carrying business running to Thames, but sold out some time ago.

The inquest into the death of Moloney was held before the coroner, Mr. W. Bongard, this afternoon. A verdict was returned that Moloney committed suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. Arthur Edward Shepherd, "Public Works foreman, of Paeroa, said the deceased was his brother-in-law.

Dr. J. B. Biggins gave evidence as to the deceased's injuries and those of tho girl. Previous Throats Made. Sergeant MacNamara said that in July Miss Robinson complained to him that Moloney had several times threatened her. Witness warned Moloney to keep away from tho girl's house.

Ivy Charlotte Robinson said she met Moloney three years ago and later lived with him at Morrinsville, Raurimu and Waimea. A child bad been born. She found Moloney very jealous and had left him, returning to her mother. Later ho visited .her to see the child. About six weeks ago he threatened her. She was terribly afraid of him and complained to the police. On Monday, said witness, Moloney came to her house. An argument developed when he asked her to go with him. She refused. Ho said: "I claim you."

Sho answered, "No, you can t.

He replied, "If you go anywhere I'll dog your footsteps and be right behind you." She said, "There is no harm in that."

Then he asked, "Is this the end ?" She replied, "Yes, until we can bo married." Escape After Struggle. Deceased then drew a razor and tried to cut her throat. She screamed and struggled with him. She did not know how she escaped, as ho drew the razor twice across her throat. Sho got free and collapsed. She did not see him again. Sylvia Robinson said she saw Moloney try to cut her sister's throat. Sho tried to pull him away, but ho was too big. She ran for assistance.

The girl's mother said Moloney was a very je;:'.uus man. She objected to his actions. Sho heard tho noiso of quarrelling and went to the kitchen. Sho found Moloney trying to cut her daughter's throat. She pulled him away. Her daughter rushed out of tho room. Moloney then cut' his throat before her eyes. She snatched the razor from him, threw it under tho sofa, and then fainted.