Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 10184Murder · Co. Donegal · 2 Apr 1878

Lord Leitrim shot dead on the way to Milford, 1878

On 2 April 1878, William Sydney Clements, known as Lord Leitrim, was shot and killed on the way to Milford, County Donegal, on the morning of that day. He was shot 10 to 11 times and struck on the head with the butt of a gun, and three men armed with muzzle loading guns were named as suspects: Michael Heraghty, Michael McElwee and Nial Sheils. Many people reportedly knew who the three men were but did not inform the police, and the £10,000 reward offered by the victim's heir was never collected. Michael Heraghty was the only one of the three ever arrested, and he died of typhus fever in jail without being charged with murder.

  1. Reported
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
William Sydney Clements, Lord Leitrim, was shot 10 to 11 times and struck on the head with the butt of a gun.
Where
Lord Leitrim was killed on the way to Milford, County Donegal, as listed in the case record.
When
Lord Leitrim set out for Milford on the morning of 2 April 1878.
Cause
The article says the fate of a young girl from Fanad was what broke the camel's back.
Weapon
The three men were armed with muzzle loading guns.
Investigation
  • Many people knew who the three men were but did not inform the police.
  • The victim's heir offered £10,000 for information identifying those responsible, and the reward was never collected.
Charges
  • Michael Heraghty was the only one of the three suspects, Michael Heraghty, Michael McElwee and Nial Sheils, ever arrested.
  • Michael Heraghty was never charged with murder.
Other details
  • Michael Heraghty died of typhus fever in jail.
  • The source is a historical 'On This Day' column published on 2 April 2026, not a current crime report.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatLord Leitrim was shot 10 to 11 times and struck on the head with the butt of a gun. (gript.ie)
  • whenLord Leitrim headed to Milford on the morning of 2 April 1878. (gript.ie)
  • causeThe article says the fate of a young girl from Fanad was what broke the camel's back. (gript.ie)
  • weaponThe three men were armed with muzzle loading guns. (gript.ie)
  • investigationMany people knew who the gunmen were but did not inform the police. (gript.ie)
  • investigationThe victim's heir offered £10,000 for information identifying the killers, which was never collected. (gript.ie)
  • chargeMichael Heraghty was the only one of the three ever arrested. (gript.ie)
  • otherHeraghty died of typhus fever in jail without ever being charged with murder. (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 2 Apr2026
    Othergript.ie, first report
    OTD: 2 APRIL 1878: Lord Leitrim murdered on the way to Milford - Gript

    Historical 'On This Day' column about a killing in 1878, not a current crime report. No existing case matches it. Milford is placed in County Donegal from the town name, as the article does not state the county.

    victim, William Sydney Clements, maleWilliam Sydney Clementssuspect, Michael Heraghty, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Heraghtysuspect, Michael McElwee, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael McElweesuspect, Nial Sheils, male, named, irish (judged from name)Nial Sheils