History with Brian James: An inquest at O'Connell

It appeared from evidence given that deceased went to Mr Robert's Public House on Monday afternoon between four and five o'clock and from that time to nine o'clock, drank four glasses of spirits.

When questioned by the landlord whether he was going home, the deceased remarked that it was too dark, and he would stop all night.

Mr Robert's put deceased asleep in the kitchen with the cook, at the same time handing the cook a bottle of rum and half a pint of sherry, which the deceased had bought to be given to him in the morning when he went away.

Deceased attempted several times to induce the cook to let him have some rum, but without avail, and at about half past ten o'clock he left the kitchen for the purpose of going to the house to get more drink but he was never seen alive after he left the cook, who imagined the deceased had taken second thoughts and started off home.

The distance of four miles to the residence of Major West.

On Thursday morning some of the servants of the Major's reported to that gentleman that Hugh Henry had not been home since he went out on the previous Monday, and Mr West immediately to Mr Roberts at O'Connell and there learned that deceased had left his home at half past ten o'clock on Monday night.

Searches were immediately instituted for the missing man, and, at mid-day on Thursday, the body was found in the middle of the river.

Verdict "Found Dead".