(The word "screw" is a slang term for a jailer or policeman; in this context, "the screw" means a prison warden or ranking police officer.)
4. Suspects
Everybody knew it was a doctor and the screw...
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The two men who picked up Honor Bright at St. Stephen's Green on the 8th of June, 1925, were Doctor Patrick Purcell of Blessington and Superintendent Leo Dillon of the Dunlavin Garda (police) barracks (both in County Wicklow, 20-30 miles southwest of Dublin).
(The word "screw" is a slang term for a jailer or policeman; in this context, "the screw" means a prison warden or ranking police officer.)
In their trial, they admitted to driving into Dublin in the doctor's gray sport coupe and hiring Honor and another girl for several hours, but said they drove straight home afterward.
However, circumstantial evidence indicated they had followed Honor as she returned to her apartment, picked her up again, and drove her out to the mountains, where they argued about money and shot her, dumping her body.
Their strong denials, coupled with a lack of motive and murder weapon, led the jury to conclude there was a reasonable doubt of their guilt, and they were acquitted.
The murder and subsequent trial were very sensational.
Although Dubliners were no strangers to death in the big city, it was unusual
out in the rural suburbs.
Furthermore, the trial drew much attention because of the prominence of the accused and the profession of the victim.
Although officially deemed "not guilty" in court, public opinion was against them.
Supt. Dillon lost his job, and Dr. Purcell's practice declined, leading him to eventually move his family to England.
