Death of Michael Leahy

Michael Leahy
Born1822
County Kerry, Ireland
Died1826 (aged 3–4)
County Kerry, Ireland
Cause of deathDrowning
Known forBeing drowned for supposedly being a changeling

Michael Leahy was a child who died by drowning in 1826 in County Kerry, Ireland.[1] Leahy was four years old at the time of his death.[1] He was believed by some in his community to have been a changeling and the drowning was the result of an attempt to cure him.[1]

Ann Roche was indicted for Leahy's murder and tried in Tralee.[1] Roche was described by the London Morning Post as being "an old woman of very advanced age".[1] She claimed to have supernatural abilities and healing skills.[2] She ordered two people to bathe the boy in the river Flesk every morning.[3] The two bathed him for three mornings.[3] On the third morning he was held under the water for longer than usual and died.[3]

  1. ^ a b c d e Crofton Croker, Thomas (1828). Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland. Harvard University: John Murray. p. Preface, VII. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  2. ^ Kent, Hannah (20 September 2017). "How Much Actual History Do You Need for a Historical Novel? Hannah Kent on Searching for the Life of Her Main Character". lithub.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b c Crofton Croker, Thomas (1828). Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland. Harvard University: John Murray. p. Preface, VIII. Retrieved 10 January 2021.