MR DE VALERA’S CLAIM TO AN ESTATE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 24, 24 December 1932, Page 8

MR DE VALERA’S CLAIM TO AN ESTATE.

BRIGHTON WOMAN’S HIDDEN WILL. The Brighton coroner, referring at Brighton Coroner’s Court on November 11 to the death last July of Miss- Mary Fitzpatrick, a recluse, aged 72. at Brighton (England), stated that Hide Valera was claiming the whole of the estate, and that an action was pending between “Miss Fitzpatrick’s brother and Mr de Valera. When Miss Fitzpatrick was found dead in a house in Bussell Square, Brighton, a steel strong box was found lashed to her bed. This contained jewellery- of considerable value. Deeds showed that the woman was horVi in 1860 and was baptised at Baven’s Grange, Co. Wexford. The coroner mentioned that ho received a letter from Dublin from Miss Fitzpatrick’s brother stating that he was the only relative and was entitled to the estate. Later it was found that Miss Fitzpatrick had made a will in favour of Mr de Valera, leaving him all her property, valued at between £3OOO and £4OOO. The will was found in an old skirt under the bed. tied with a silken girdle. Mr de Valera’s representatives' were informed of the discovery.