The Lucan Attempted Assassination.
Robert Donnelly on Trial.
Prisoner Found Guilty of Felony.
[...] The Lucan murderous shooting [came?] came up for trial at the Assizes on Saturday, when Robert Donnelly was charged with shooting a gun at Samuel nS. Everett constable of that village, with intent to murder or grievously [maim?] him. Prisoner pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr. Glass, Q. C., Mr. Hutchinson, County Crown Attorney, prosecuted, and Mr. Henry Becher looked after Everett's interests.
[...] Patrick Whalen was called for the defence. He deposed — Live in Biddulph, four or five miles north of Lucan. Jas. Donnelly's house is near my place, and about five miles from Lucan. Saw prisoner go into his father's house about 1 o'clock on the 18th of March. Saw him to his father's house between seven and eight that night. John and Tom Donnelly and his father, and Cornelius Malrooney was there; stayed three-quarters of an hour. Prisoner came out of a room, where he had been sleeping, partially undreamed, and had his supper. This was between seven and eight, and shortly after John and I went over to my place.
Jas. Donnelly — Am father of prisoner, he was at a party at Nangle's [illegible] Patrick's day, an hour before night next day, the 18th, found him in the yard. He lay down afterwards and was called to supper. After Johnny and Whalen left that night, Mr. McBride, a carpenter engaged in building a granery for me, and with whom prisoner was working, came in; prisoner was living at Glencoe up to four or five weeks ago; John Hodgins and Jim Keefe came in that night about eight o'clock, and stayed till ten minutes to 12, when McBride and they left; it couldn't be possible for Bob to be at Lucan that night, as he only went to bad a short time before these people left.
Wm. McBride, carpenter, Lucan, deposed he was at Mr. Nangle's party on St. rick's night (Sunday); Robert Donnelly was there; on the following evening, the 18th, saw prisoner at his house about eight o'clock; prisoner was there when I left it would be impossible for prisoner to have been out of the house for ten minutes at a time that night without my knowing it; never saw prisoner the worse for liquor.
[...] the jury retired at twenty minutes past 11 p. m., and came into court at ten minutes to 21 with a verdict, finding the prisoner "guilty of shooting with intent to kill." [...] Thereupon, a juror named S. H. Craig, of this city go's up, and said they were unanimous as to the shooting being with "intent to kill;" but they did not mean to make it "to murder" also. This was the dilemma they had by the horns at two minutes ti 12m and in order that a verdict might be rendered before Sunday, His Lordship advised that they should adopt the count "guilty of shooting with intent to do grievous bedily harm," the Crown prosecutor agreeing to accept that verdict.