September 26, 1863
LOCAL NEWS
FIRING AT MR. RANDAL BLACK--Mr. Randal BLACK, son of Mr. John BLACK, of Gartbratten, near this town, is stated to have been fired at on Thursday evening when passing through the village of Butlersbridge. There are many conflicting reports afloat concerning the transaction; but, we understand, Mr. R. Black's version of it is this:--He was returning from the fair of Clones, and was proceeding on horseback through Butlersbridge at about ten minutes past seven o'clock on the evening in question. His father, and a Mr. HALLIDAY, were driving on an outside car a few paces behind. When opposite the Roman Catholic chapel of Butlersbridge, a gun or pistol was fired at him, a portion of the contents of which struck him on the head, inflicting a slight wound, and knocking off his hat, in which a small hole is perforated. The wound on the head is considerably larger than the hole in the hat. He declares that he distinctly saw a man standing at the door of the above chapel, whom he perceived turn round and lift his arm, and then saw the flash of fire-arms. His father also saw the man and the flash of fire-arms and heard the shot when he at once stopped the car, and found his son bleeding. Mr. Halliday corroborates these statements in their essential features. The occurrence took place quite close to the police barrack of Butlersbridge, and one of the men of that station says he heard the shout of murder, but heard no report of fire-arms, and other persons in the vicinity make similar statements. Mr. Randal Black and his father came at once into Cavan, and reported the matter to the Constabulary. Sub-Inspector Napier lost no time in proceeding to the scene of the outrage; but could glean no information to throw any additional light on the affair. A boy named LITTLE, who had been discharged from the service of Mr. John Black, was arrested, he having made use of some threats towards Mr. Randal Black after he had left his father's employment. On yesterday (Friday), T. Thompson, Esq., J.P., held an investigation which resulted in the discharge of the boy Little, it having been shown that he could not have been at Butlersbridge at the time Mr. Black was fired at. Up to the present the affair is enshrouded in the greatest mystery, and is the subject of much controversy and comment.
