FREE STATE MINISTER

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10592, 11 July 1927, Page 6

FREE STATE MINISTER

SHOT DOWN IN STREET. (Received 11.5* a.m.) Electric Telegraph-—Press Association LONDON, July 10. Mr Kevin O'Higgins, vice-presi-dent and Minister of Justice in the Free State Ministry, was going to church in Black Rock with his "wife this morning when three men in a motor-car fired four shots, wounding Mr O’Higgins. Death followed in a few liouns. “I FORGIVE THEM ALL,” (Received 11.15 a.m.) LONDON, July 10. Mr O’Higgins left his home at 11.45 accompanied by his wife and walked leisurely in the direction of Botterstwon Church. When about a quarter of a mile away three men opened fire. Three of the shots struck the body and one the head. “I forgive them all,” he cried to his wife when lifted into an ambulance and conveyed hime. Dublin’s foremost doctors fought for five hours for Mr O’Higgins’ life. Saline transfusion was attempted but lie was too weak to take a blood transfusion though many volunteered. Two men named Fleming, living nearby, hearing the shootimr rushed out and saw Mr O’l fieri ns on tlie pavement. “That you Kevin p” asked one? “Yes,” was tlie reply, “I’m dying and at peace with my God and enemies.” Mr O’ H iggins then expressed a wish that his wife and children be provided for. ’'■<«*. Canon Brean almost immediately arrived in a motor-car and administered tlie rites. On (lie spot where Mr O’Higgins had fallen was a cassock bespattered with blood which was flowing freely from Mr O'Higg;iss’ wounds. A little girl who was the only /witness to the shooting says she saw a grey car in which two men were standing in Organ Road. A third stood near the radiator with an overcoat over his arm.