Shortt sharp shock Show reveals Pat’s relative was facing murder charge
Pat with dad Christy
Killinaskully star is one of 11 children but both his dad Christy and his mother Mary, who died when he was just seven, were only children.
He was delighted to find out his descendants had a colourful past but confessed he was astonished to find out his mother’s grand-uncle, William Allis, had spent time in Clonmel Jail charged with murder.
Pat said: “The running joke [in the family] was what if we find a murderer? We all laughed. I did not expect that.”
It emerged his great -grand-uncle William was locked up on April 1869 at the age of 24 for the murder of a Mr Bradshaw, who was his landlord. He was arrested after it emerged his family were afraid they were going to be evicted and Mr Bradshaw had also been having a relationship with William’s sister who was sent to England.
But as the investigation goes on police records, they show Mr Bradshaw had a wife, a mistress and also had a string of affairs with local women.
The records reveal how William was eventually let off the hook when a hydrogen peroxide test – the forensic blood analysis test only in use for six years at the time in Ireland – found there was no blood on his clothes.
Forensic historian Dr Barry Kennerk said the negative results for blood on William’s clothes meant it was an “open and shut case” which meant the charges were dropped.
Pat added: “That test was absolutely crucial. If it had
Pat in Killinaskully come back and said it was blood, it was over, he was going straight to the gallows. “Was he the only person with motive? No, he wasn’t. It was like a Cluedo game. We’ll never actually know who did it.” He also learned his maternal grandmother had been on a trip to Bombay in India to teach in her early 20s and had already returned home in 1914. He said: “I have to say I’m totally gobsmacked. I remember this quite strict old woman. “I suppose we tormented the life out of her. I heard she was a governess. To think she was an adventurous, exciting young woman in her early 20s – it’s all very exciting.” Who Do You Think You Are? airs on RTE One tonight at 9.30pm. news@irishmirror.ie
The running joke [in the family] was what if we find a murderer? PAT SHORTT ON HIS FAMILY HISTORY REVELATIONS