Karl O' Neill 12 Stones In The Water

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Drama on One: 12 Stones in the Water   RTÉ Radio 1 TX14 OCT 2015 by Karl O’Neill Based on true events this dark tale centres around the death of 3 year old Annie Slavin in Armagh in 1888 and the involvement of Bellina Prior who was found 'guilty but insane' of her murder. Aoibhinn McGinnity plays the part of Bellina Prior Deirdre Monaghan plays the part of Nina Prior Karl O'Neill played the other voices Sound Supervision was by Mark McGrath  Directed by Gorretti Slavin  Bellina was raised in Armagh to Anglo Irish parents. Her father was in the British Military but died quite young leaving Bellina’s mother Nina to raise four children. Although well to do Nina obviously lost some status socially and was sometimes harsh with the young Bellina. In 1888 aged 19 years Bellina was found guilty but insane of killing 3 year old Annie Slavin who was found drowned in the boiler in the Prior’s home.She was committed to the Dundrum Mental Asylum in Dublin and was subsequently released into the care of her mother with a provision that she should never return to Armagh.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.