True crime magazine revisits notorious Rahan murder case

The notorious Kirwan murder case from the 1940s in Rahan has featured in a true crime magazine feature. The magazine called 'Master Detective' reports on the story as it happened, tracing the events leading up to and after the murder of farmer Laurence Kirwan from Ballincloghan. It"s described as a 'fascinating story' by journalist Declan Meehan, who writes for the magazine. The piece extensively refers to Offaly Independent archives as a source. The article charts in great detail the story of two brothers, Laurence and Bernard, who fought over their farm, after Bernard was released from prison having serving time for robbing a post office. An ever-growing hostility led to a nasty fight in October 1941 in which Laurence received a stab wound to his hand. Bernard also told neighbours that he had been cut. Laurence then vanished in November, 1941. Two turf cutters found his body in Ballincura bog in May 1942, nearly seven months after he disappeared. When Laurence failed to met his girlfriend and an acquaintance, and wasn"t to be found around his home, his farmhand John Foran, became suspicious. Bernard told the farmhand that Laurence had gone to Kildare to visit an aunt. He then gave Foran some time off. Local gardaí soon heard the gossip about Laurence"s disappearance and they questioned Bernard. Gardaí searched the premises but found no trace of Laurance. They began other inquiries around the village. 'Master Detective' then traces the garda investigation and the growing suspicions that pointed to the fact that Laurance had possibly been murdered. After a thorough investigation, which led to Bernard"s arrest for his brother"s murder, the article then reports on the murder trail which took place in Dublin during January 1943. The court case itself uncovered some fascinating and conflicting evidence, lies, fabrications and half-truths. However with compelling circumstantial evidence against him and his appeal dismissed, Bernard was hanged in Mountjoy Prison on Wednesday, June 2, 1943. You can read the full article in the July issue of Master Detective, which is currently on sale in newsagents now or send a cheque/postal order for €4.80 made out to Forum Press, PO Box 735, London SE26 5NQ, UK, or online at www.truecrimelibrary.com