The Execution of Dennis And Martin Curley for Murder: When Martin and Dennis Curley murdered another member of their family at the end of March 1849, they were quickly arrested and sent to trial. Although the trial at Mullingar Assizes, County Westmeath, was no more than a formality due to the huge amount of evidence against the two, as soon as the verdict of guilty was returned and the death sentence passed Martin Curley pointed his finger dramatically at the judge, and declared: “I lay a curse upon you, and upon those who have given evidence against me, none of whom will be in peace until they are dead!” The drama continued outside the courtroom when another member of the Curley family approached a juror and told him: “I’m measuring you up for your coffin.” The man was arrested and the judge immediately sent him to prison. Both Dennis and Martin Curley were executed on this day 31st July 1849, outside Mullingar Prison, in the last public execution in the town. It was a Tuesday.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Jul 2013 09:57:42 +0000