Our Clonmel correspondent writes that an extraordinary case came before the magistrates (Messrs Joyce, RM; Merrick and Shine at Golden Petty Sessions this week. Head constable Scully charged three men named John, William and Daniel Murphy of Derrycloney, with having stolen £8 and a cheque for £9 10s from their brother, Nicholas Murphy, an old man of 80 years. The latter deposed that on January 12th he returned home to Derrycloney from Cahir when he was attacked by the three defendants, and his sister, Ellen Murphy, took a key from him and opened a box of his and took out 8 sovereigns. They also took an IOU for £9 12s from him. William held him whilst the others took the money. In cross-examination he said money disappeared sometimes out of his pockets, whether it was the fairies took it or not he could not say. Once or twice he felt it coming back to him again. The ‘Invisible people’ took a few pence from him now and again. The chairman said it was a terrible thing if the old man had been treated as described. They would adjourn the case to the the crown an opportunity of considering their further procedure. The case against Wm Murphy of forging a cheque £9 12s in Nicholas Murphy’s name was also adjourned. Anon, ‘A Belief in the Fairies: an Extraordinary Case’, Freeman’s Journal and Daily Commercial Advertiser (19 Feb 1897), 6