Leinster Express Oct 6 1832
(From the Westmeath Journal)
Barbarous Murder. On the evening of Sunday week last a most brutal murder was committed by a party of miscreants. A poor man named Gaynor, who rented an orchard at Rathcourath (sp?), and had infringed on the Rockite Code by taking some ground, which some other person had been dispossessed. At about 4 o’clock on the above day four fellows went into his house, which was at the rear of one occupied by the Rev. Mr. Kennedy, curate of Mr. Coughlan P.P. : and they beat him on the head with the buttends of their pistols in so savage a manner as to cause his death soon after. The curate attempted to interfere and save the poor man’s life, when the ruffians swore they would blow his brains out if he did not desist; the ruffians than went off, and got half a gallon of whiskey at Skea. They were pursued by Mr. Kennedy and a Mr. Banon, but we regret to say without effect. An inquest was held on the body by Hugh Dickson Esq. and a verdict of wilful murder returned against some persons unknown.
