Defence of William Bourke Kirwan, condemned for the alleged murder of his wife, and now a convict in Spike-Island / to which, amongst other documents, is appended the opinion of Alfred S. Taylor, that 'no murder was committed'.

  • Boswell, James Knight.
Date:
1853
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Defence of William Bourke Kirwan, condemned for the alleged murder of his wife, and now a convict in Spike-Island / to which, amongst other documents, is appended the opinion of Alfred S. Taylor, that 'no murder was committed'. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    o clock, and when they reached, they saw Kirwan standing at the landing place, and that he had a bag, a book, and a stick:' It is most important to take the evidence of this witness in detail. In reference to the direction given by Mrs. Kirwan, that the men should come at eight o'clock, it was proved before the Coroner that she was much annoyed at the men coming before their time on the former occasions of their visiting the island. The usual period in fine weather for rowing from llowth to Ireland's Eyeis about fifteen minutes, as sworn to by Pat Nangle's evidence, which would fix the period of time when Kirwan was standing at the landing-place at about a quarter before eight o'clock. Kirwan standing near the Martello Tower at a quarter before eight o clock—The Landing Place. The phrase standing by the landing place, was calculated to mislead the jury into the belief that Kirwan was close to the boat when the men came over, and that he was actually stepping into it. It was not so; the spot where Kirwan stood, and which has been shewn to numbers, is on a high bank about fifteen feet above the sea, having rugged rocks between it and the shore, and distant at least sixty feet from the boat. The Bag. The bag which this witness said Kirwan carried was examined by the Coroner's jury. It contained knives and forks, soiled plates, and the remains of a ham, &c. It was stated in court that it did hot appear what Kirwan had in the bag, and it was suggested to the jury that he might have brought over the bathing dress, an in- ference not warranted by any proof, and which told strongly against the prisoner. Kirwan advanced a few paces on the bank with the bag, which he gave to Nangle. This circumstance has been magni- fied into an intention on his part of leaving the island without Mrs. Kirwan. Now, if he had murdered Mrs. Kirwan, and had the folly to go back to Howth without her, we appeal to the dispassionate judgment of every man, would he not on the instant of his arrival be questioned; suspicion would be aroused, and on the body being found, he would have been instantly arrested as the murderer. The Sketch-book Kirwan at the Martello Tower ten minutes after seven o clock. The sketch-book was produced to the Coroner's jury, after Kirwan had given his evidence at the inquest, and had told what he had been sketching. It contained numerous sketches, and, among others, one which Kirwan on the inquest said he had just finished of an Evening Sunset Effect of the Dublin Mountains, and part of Howth Hill tinted in color. This effect it would be impossible to obtain unless at about sunset, which was twenty minutes before seven o'clock. It can be proved that Kirwan, while he was residing at Howth, was in the habit of sketching at other inlands, and was seen