Last Sligo hanging recalled by author
HISTORIC Sligo Prison is one of the few surviving structures of its type and is an architectural gem to be treasured.
It is also the setting for the final chapter in a bizarre murder case that made headlines across the world, but is now almost forgotten.
Victim Patrick Doherty from Kilclare, Co. Letrim was shot twice through the head, once through the heart, and once through the wrist on 23rd March 1902.
When his father James claimed he had shot himself and then jumped out a window it was clear he had murdered his own son.
After all he had bought a pistol and 50 rounds of ammunition a few days before.
In any murder case that would be sensational enough. But the most remarkable incident occurred when James and his brother Anthony carried the body into the house after the tragedy.
One of the shots had passed through Patrick’s right hand as he held it up in an effort to shield himself.
When he died his arm remained in the raised position. Anthony tried to pull the arm down to a more natural position at the body’s side, but rigor mortis had set in and the arm ‘slowly rose to its original position, as if denouncing the murderer.’
Seeing the arm slowly rise and point at him, James immediately, ‘as if struck with remorse’, had an epileptic fit and fell to the floor.
Reports of the trial featured in newspapers around the world alongside headlines such as ‘Culprit Accused by the Dead Hand’ or ‘ The Accusing Hand.’ The bizarre incident was even the subject of a Ripley’s ‘Believe it or Not!’ cartoon.
Father and son had had a falling out over property and James Doherty’s hatred led him to murder his own son.
Doherty stood trial in Leitrim in June 1902, but the jury were unable or unwilling to reach a verdict.
A new trial was held in Sligo on 3rd December 1902. This time, it took a jury of Sligo citizens just twenty minutes to find him guilty.
On 30 th December 1902, James Doherty earned the dubious distinction of becoming the last person to ever be executed at Sligo Prison.
The story features in author Allen Foster’s latest book, “Foster’s Book of Irish Murder” available nationwide and from www.newisland.ie.