The Lucan Murders

TWO MORE INCIDENTS

[...] Last September a neighbour named Thompson missed a cow. The Donnellys were suspected of having stolen it, and a morning or two afterwards a band of 45 men proceeded to their place and searched for the animal, but could not find it. Subsequently the cow was found in the woods, whither it had strayed. About a month after this occurrence John Donnelly laid information against the ringleaders of the band for trespass. This case was heard at London, but John’s evidence was as naught against the combined testimony of the defendants, who were discharged. Thereupon they indicted John for perjury, when he was committed for trial, and so the matter rsted until death abruptly terminated the proceedings. [...]