I do research on the history of the Strokestown area and came across these posts when checking out Henry Grattan Curran, R.M. The following story may be of interest, if you have not already seen it. Any information about Henry's term as R.M. in Strokestown would be most appreciated.
Happy 2012
Mike
FROM ROSCOMON AND LEITRIM GAZETTE, AUGUST 30, 1851
Melancholy Accident
From a Correspondent
An inquest was held on the 24th inst. before T. P. Peyton, Esq., Coroner, and a respectable jury, on view of the body of John Philpot Curran, Esq., eldest son of Henry Grattan Curran, Esq., R.M., at his residence, Strokestown, when the following melancholy circumstances were detailed by Bartholomew Mahon and Henry Brown, Esqs.
On Saturday evening the 23rd inst., the above named gentlemen, and the deceased Mr. Curran, with the Masters John and Cornelius Dillon, of Mount Dillon, were invited to a dinner party at the residence of Mrs. Mahon, Strokestown, and on their arrival proceeded to a dressing-room to prepare for dinner, and in which all the party had assembled. On the chimney-piece were lying a case of pocket pistols, and a case of duelling pistols. Mr. Cornelius Dillon (a lad of fifteen years of age) took up one of the pocket pistols, and Mr. Mahon said to him “For God’s sake leave then down as they are loaded” which he did, and the deceased Mr. Curran left the room for fear of an accident, but returned again in about five minutes, when Mr. Cornelius Dillon took up one of the dwelling pistols (which was believed not to be loaded) and Mr. Mahon said to Mr. John Dillon “examine that pistol” which he did assisted by his brother, Mr. Cornelius Dillon, by putting the ramrod down the barrel, and they said “It is not loaded.” There was then no notice taken of Mr. C. Dillon fiddling with the dwelling pistols, when he was observed standing in a side position, playfully to raise his arm, stretched out, and snapped the pistol towards the deceased, Mr. Curran, which made a loud report, and he instantly fell dead. A bullet wound appeared in his forehead, from which he bled profusely. Mr. C. Dillon then exclaimed “Oh, God, have I shot him!”
Surgeon Doyle examined the deceased and stated there was a gunshot wound in his right temple, and a portion of brain protruding, which was sufficient to cause instant death. It appeared on a subsequent examination of the pistol that the ram-rod was about two inches short, which deceived then when examining it.
Mrs. Curran’s state of distraction is beyond all description. She could not be induced to remove her lips from the face of the lifeless body of her son, and she appeared perfectly insensible as to what had happened to him, and frequently called him expecting a reply. The melancholy event has cast a general gloom over the town and neighbourhood of Strokestown. The lamented young gentleman, who was in his 20th year, was universally respected and beloved by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. Mr. Curran, the father of the deceased, attended the inquest, and till then did not learn the melancholy particulars; his faultering voice and quivering lips evidently betrayed his suffering, and, after fainting a second time, had to be carried away before the conclusion.
All the parties lived on the most friendly terms, and the melancholy accident is deeply lamented by the innocent author of the deed.
Verdict – We find that the death of the aforesaid John Philpot Curran was caused by a pistol shot wound in his forehead, inflicted accidently by Mr. Cornelius Dillon, at Strokestown, on the 23rd day of August, 1851.
