A body, a controversial murder trial and a mystery that remains unsolved almost two centuries on: just how did Maria Kirwan die?
In September 1852, the body of a young woman, Maria Kirwan, was discovered floating in a remote inlet on Ireland’s Eye just off the coast of Howth, Co. Dublin. The initial inquest found that Maria had died by drowning but the media of the time talked up many possible reasons for her death. Suspicion began to grow that her husband, William Burke Kirwan, had murdered Maria. Tales of cruelty – and a second family – brought William to trial.
In this episode of Scannal, we look back at a murder trial and case that gripped the nation. We ask lawyers, writers and experts to assess whether or not justice was served and ask just how did Maria die?
Corp, triail dúnmharaithe chonspóideach agus rúndiamhair atá fós gan réiteach beagnach dhá chéad bliain ar aghaidh: cén chaoi ar bhásaigh Maria Kirwan?
I mí Mheán Fómhair 1852, thángthas ar chorp mná óige, Maria Kirwan, ar barr uisce i ngóilín iargúlta ar Inis Mac Neasáin díreach amach ó chósta Bhinn Éadair, Co. Bhaile Átha Cliath. Fuarthas sa chéad ionchoisne gur bádh Maria, ach bhí go leor cúiseanna féideartha lena bás sna meáin ag an am. Bhí níos mó amhras ag teacht ar dhaoine gurbh é a fear céile, William Burke Kirwan, a dhúnmharaigh Maria. Thug scéalta cruálachta – agus an dara teaghlach – William chun trialach.
Sa chlár seo de Scannal, breathnaímid siar ar thriail dúnmharaithe agus ar chás a chuaigh i bhfeidhm ar an náisiún. Iarraimid ar dhlíodóirí, ar scríbhneoirí agus ar shaineolaithe a mheas ar baineadh ceartas amach, agus cén chaoi ar bhásaigh Maria?
