THE MURDER OF YOUNG MURPHY

INQUEST AND MAGISTERIAL INVESTIGATION

On Friday morning last, three days after he was shot by ruffianly Orange revolverists, young Edward Murphy succumbed to his injuries at the infirmary. At present it would be injudicious to offer comment upon the acts of individuals, but we cannot refrain from condemning the outrageous conduct — the murderous conduct — of those cowards who fired upon a body of unarmed men, more of this again.

The following is a list of the jury [omitted]

[ ... ]

James Murphy, father of the deceased, identified the body as that of his son.

Francis McGuigan, a private in the Monaghan Regiment was sworn, and stated that he was in Monaghan on Tuesday evening last, at about half past eight o’clock. He was in the Shambles. There were about 30 men of the regiment in the Shambles. They were standing along the footpath. There came four civilians down through the Shambles. They went on past the soldiers as far as the Pound hill.

To a Juror — I know two of the men. One was named Girvan and the other Crawford.

To the Coroner — I afterwards found out who the other two were, One of them is named Mitchell and the other McElnay. I followed the crowd up beyond the Pound hill, when I saw a man raise his arm and fire the shot which wounded the deceased. The deceased was immediately in front of me when he fell wounded. I lifted him, and, with the assistance of a man named McEntee, helped him to the hospital.

The Coroner — was there any provocation given to the men at all?

Witness — None that I could see. They walked deliberately through the Shambles, and without provocation, turned round and fired the shots.

[ ... ]

– The People's Advocate, 19 June 1886.

THE ATTACK ON PROTESTANTS IN THE SHAMBLES.

FATAL RESULT.

The man, Murphy, who was shot in the face while he with others were engaged attacking three Protestants in the Shambles on Tuesday evening, succumbed to his wounds yesterday morning at one o'clock. Very little hopes were entertained for his recovery from the first, and on Thursday evening he sank very low and continued in that state until he died. Crawford is still quite sensible, and is able to reognize [sic] his friends, but he is still in a critical condition. Yesterday twenty two extra police were drafted into town, and we understand that as soon as it was known that Murphy was dead, an application was made for a further reinforcement of fifty, which would make the total strength about eighty. It is probable that Murphy will be interred tomorrow (Sunday).

THE INQUEST.

Yesterday at Twelve o'clock an inquest was commenced in the boardroom of the Infirmary before Dr. R. W. Stewart, Coroner for the Northern Division of the county and the following jury:—

[omitted]

Some evidence was taken and the inquest adjourned.

A full report of the proceedings will be given in our next issue.

THE RECENT RIOTS IN MONAGHAN.

On yesterday (Friday), when the Monaghan Militia were being inspected, ten of their number were identified by Girvan as those who attacked Crawford, Mitchell, and himself on Tuesday evening last before and after the shots were fired. The men are charged with originating the quarrel which has resulted in Murphy's death. A number of police were in attendance at the barracks, and marched the men charged down to the Courthouse where Girvan's depositions were taken. They have been committed for trial.

– The Northern Standard, 19 June 1886.