"The Anglo Celt" Cavan; Thursday, September 9, 1852 MURDER OF O'CALLAGHAN RYAN, ESQ. We subjoin from the Clonmel Chroniclete full particulars so far as they are yet known, of the savage murder of O'CALLAGHAN RYAN, Esq., who was assassinated last Friday, in open day, upon the public road in a populous neighbourhood; and though a policeman, who was within hearing of the fatal shot, hastened forward with the utmost speed no trace could be found of the assassins. We have neither time nor space at present to do more than append the following extract from the Clonmel Chronicle:- It appears that the unfortunate gentleman had some refractory tenants on his property in the county Tipperary, not far from Kilmanaham, and that he had taken all the legal steps towards the eviction, which event was to have taken place, as we have heard on to-day. In the mean time not dreading any evil results to himself personally, he proceeded to the property in question on yesterday, with the view of averting the threatened eviction if the tenants could be brought to terms; but whether his plan was successful or the reverse, we have not learned. On his return in the afternoon towards Clonmel, he passed a policeman on the road near Whitefort, and had not proceded (sic) more than 500 yards when he was fired at by an assassin from behind the ditch of a plantation.on the road side; the policeman hearing the report of the shot immediately hastened forward, and on passing a turn of the road he saw Mr. Ryan's gray horse standing on the road without its rider, and two gre! yhounds standing close by. He also saw the hat which had been worn by the deceased lying on the road. He then saw the marks of persons struggling on the ditch, and following the traces through the plantation found the murdered body of the ill-fated gentleman, whom he had but a few moment's before saluted in the full possession of health and life. The deceased had been draged (sic) towards the brink of a lime-kiln in the plantation, into which the ruffians intended to throw him, when they were disturbed by the policeman. He was shot in the abdomen; but the inhuman wretches could not be satiated nor their vengeance appeased without making assurance doubly sure by battering his head to mummy, both with stones and also with a sharp instrument (such as a hatchet), with which they inflicted some frightful wounds. Instant alarm was given; the police were on the alert; the country was scouted in all directions, but we are sorry to say without effect. Such have been the miserabl! e fate of poor Mr. Ryan than whom a more aimable (sic) man never breathed. He lived amongst us respected by all, and it is needles (sic) to add that his murder has cast a gleam over society which will not be speedily removed. FURTHER PARTICULARS. The scene of this frightful murder is situate in the sub-police district of Kilmanaham, about three-quarters of a mile from the police-station at the latter village, and about one-eighth of a mile beyond Whitefort-house on the Dungarvan road, and in a place well selected for such a deed of blood. There is a valley to the right as one goes from the village, well screened in, with the river Suir in the distance to the right, whilst to the left are Lord Stradbroke's plantations, very much overhanging the road, affording a dense cover for an assassin, as also an easy mode for escape. The unfortunate gentleman was riding in this lonesome place, attended by his favourite greyhounds, from Clashganny in the county Tipperary, and was coming in the direction of Kilmanagham (?) homewards to Clonmel, when at the point we have described, and at the hour of half-past six in the evening, he was shot, as some will say, from behind the low wall which bounds the road on the right, but! as others will have it, on the road and then tumbled the body over the low wall down the steep, with the determination to throw it into an ancient lime-kiln, where, in consequence of its great depth and the overhanging briars with which it is clothed, his body might have remained undiscovered until identification would be impossible. Our reporter, and some friends who accompanied him to this scene of blood and murder, examined every inch of the ground - they found the bloody stone which must have been used to inflict some of the desperate wounds which were inflicted upon the unfortunate gentleman's head; a billhook must have been also used, as there was a desperate cut on the back of the head; the gun shot wound was immediately under the region of the heart. He was not robbed, as his watch and some change remained. The village is filled with people from all parts. The Right Hon. the Earl of Donnoughmore is present, also Edmond MULCAHY, Esq., J.P., Abraham COATES, Charles PIM, Edward SARGINT, Dr. SARGINT, John PRENDERGRAST, Thomas MURPHY, Robert SPARROW, Joseph HONOR, (solicitor, to watch proceedings), Wm. QUINN, of Loughloher, Robert MALCOMSON. - Whitton, Esqs. Several officers of the gallant 39th Regiment were also present. Up to three o'clock the coroner had not arrived. We will keep a space open for the verdict. Rewards will be offered for the apprehension of the murderers. The greatest indignation prevails. The jury, without a moment's hesitation, returned the following verdict. "We find that the said O'Callaghan RYAN, Esq., on the event of Friday, the 3rd September, 1852, was riding on the road to Clonmel, when he was fired at, and shot on the left side of the abdomen, and divers (sic) deep wounds inflicted on his head, which caused his immediate death. And the jurors further find, that the said wounds and shooting were foully and maliciously inflicted on the said O'Callaghan Ryan, Esq., by some person or persons to the said jury at present unknown. After the inquest the body was placed in a shell, and removed into town. We understand the funeral will take place on Monday. County Cavan Newspaper Transcription Project