BALLYBAY (County Monaghan) chemist gave evidence yesterday at Dublin Central Criminal Court of selling sixteen grains of strychnine for killing rats. Mr Henry Manley said that the purchaser was Miss Agnes McAdam, a fifty-three-year-old spinster of Derrylosk, Ballybay who was charged with the murder by poisoning of James Finnegan (65), a farmer of Ballybay, on September 28. The prosecution allege that Finnegan died from poisoning by strychnine, which they say was contained in a cake which Miss McAdam brought to his house. She has pleaded not guilty.
Miss Lily Finnegan (28), daughter of the dead man, cross-examined for the defence, said that about 500 people were expected at a social for two priests who were going away, and Miss McAdam brought two cakes to her home, stating, 'They are only out of the oven.'
Jack McAdam, farmer, said he lived with his wife and his sister (the accused). There were rats on his farms and he had used rat poison to exterminate them. Mr McAdam said that since his sister had had her hand injured by a threshing machine some years ago, she had worn a glove and her nerves had been affected.
Hugh O'Neill, a farmer, said that on September 28 he saw a dog in a dying condition in Finnegan's kitchen. Daniel O'Neill, another farmer, said he saw James Finnegan sitting on a stove outside his house. Finnegan was convulsed with about five seizures.
Strangford Lough Swans 'Slaughtered'
THE swans are on the march and a fierce warfare now goes on between them and the wild ducks of Strangford Lough whose cause has been championed by the sportsmen of that area. With dog and gun they have invaded the swans' stronghold in the Lough and already a number of the great birds have fallen to their shooting.
This action on the part of the sportsmen has aroused much indignation throughout Down and particularly in the Newry district where the residents fear that the many beautiful creatures which usually frequent the Newry Canal during the summer will be forever absent now that the 'slaughter' on Strangford Lough has commenced.
Burning of Hibernian Hall The burning of Aldoammond AOH Hall, situated near Mountfield, County Tyrone, had a sequel at Omagh Quarter Sessions yesterday when the trustees won a malicious injury claim.