Robert McGladdery
Encyclopedia
Robert Andrew McGladdery (1936–20 December 1961) was the last person to be executed in Northern Ireland
.
He battered, strangled and stabbed Pearl Gamble, aged 19, on 28 January 1961 and left her body at Upper Damolly, near Newry
, County Down
.
It transpired the murderer and victim were distant cousins. Pearl Gamble had gone to a dance at the Henry Thomson Memorial Orange Hall in Newry with three girlfriends. She was seen dancing with her boyfriend and Robert McGladdery.
The murder investigations led to McGladdery. When interviewed he stated to have worn a dark-blue suit but other people at the dance said he wore a light-coloured one. He was put under surveillance and was discreetly seen go to some undergrowth on 10 February 1961. The following day, the police discovered, inside a pillow case in a septic tank, an overcoat, a waistcoat and a handkerchief, all of which were heavily bloodstained. McGladdery was arrested on the same day.
At his trial in Downpatrick
, McGladdery pleaded his innocence but was found guilty and sentenced to death. The evening before his execution he allegedly made a full confession of the murder. He was hanged at Crumlin Road Gaol
in Belfast
on 20 December 1961, aged 25 years old, by the British executioner Harry Allen.
A BBC Northern Ireland dramatisation of the case - 'Last Man Hanging' - was broadcast on 8 September 2008.
The murder and subsequent execution is the theme of Eoin McNamee
's 2010 novel Orchid Blue.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
He battered, strangled and stabbed Pearl Gamble, aged 19, on 28 January 1961 and left her body at Upper Damolly, near Newry
Newry
Newry is a city in Northern Ireland. The River Clanrye, which runs through the city, formed the historic border between County Armagh and County Down. It is from Belfast and from Dublin. Newry had a population of 27,433 at the 2001 Census, while Newry and Mourne Council Area had a population...
, County Down
County Down
-Cities:*Belfast *Newry -Large towns:*Dundonald*Newtownards*Bangor-Medium towns:...
.
It transpired the murderer and victim were distant cousins. Pearl Gamble had gone to a dance at the Henry Thomson Memorial Orange Hall in Newry with three girlfriends. She was seen dancing with her boyfriend and Robert McGladdery.
The murder investigations led to McGladdery. When interviewed he stated to have worn a dark-blue suit but other people at the dance said he wore a light-coloured one. He was put under surveillance and was discreetly seen go to some undergrowth on 10 February 1961. The following day, the police discovered, inside a pillow case in a septic tank, an overcoat, a waistcoat and a handkerchief, all of which were heavily bloodstained. McGladdery was arrested on the same day.
At his trial in Downpatrick
Downpatrick
Downpatrick is a medium-sized town about 33 km south of Belfast in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the county town of Down with a rich history and strong connection to Saint Patrick. It had a population of 10,316 at the 2001 Census...
, McGladdery pleaded his innocence but was found guilty and sentenced to death. The evening before his execution he allegedly made a full confession of the murder. He was hanged at Crumlin Road Gaol
Crumlin Road Gaol
HMP Belfast, also known as Crumlin Road Gaol, is a former prison situated on the Crumlin Road in north Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is the only Victorian era prison remaining in Northern Ireland and has been derelict since 1996...
in Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
on 20 December 1961, aged 25 years old, by the British executioner Harry Allen.
A BBC Northern Ireland dramatisation of the case - 'Last Man Hanging' - was broadcast on 8 September 2008.
The murder and subsequent execution is the theme of Eoin McNamee
Eoin McNamee
Eoin McNamee is an Irish writer.He has written two novellas, The Last of Deeds and Love in History , which was shortlisted for the 1989 Irish Times/Aer Lingus Award for Irish Literature; and the novels, Resurrection Man , which detailed the bloodletting of the UVF gang the Shankill Butchers ;...
's 2010 novel Orchid Blue.