Philip Cross

Who was Philip Cross?

Philip Cross from Shandy Hall, Dripsey, County Cork, Ireland, was a physician convicted and hanged for the murder of his wife after an affair with his children's governess. The case was known in the late 19th century as "the Coachford Poisoning Case" as the house was on the road between the adjacent villages of Dripsey and Coachford.

Cross was a retired British Army surgeon with the rank of major. He resided at Shandy Hall, with his wife Laura and six children. Aside from hunting and fishing, he rarely socialised, though his wife was quite popular. Laura hired a 20-year-old governess named Effie Skinner in 1886 to look after their children.

Cross had a disparaging view of most females, and Laura did not think of anything being stirred up by Ms Skinner. But soon afterwards, Dr. Cross began showing too much of an interest in the governess. Eventually he actually seized and kissed her. Effie was upset by this, but due to her liking the children, remained in the household. Since she did not speak to Laura about the incident, Cross thought she accepted his feelings for her. Eventually, Laura noticed his attentions to Effie and confronted her husband. Laura insisted Effie had to leave the household and Cross agreed. Cross convinced Effie that Laura had an unreasonable view of her and she should leave the household. Effie believed Cross and moved to Dublin. A correspondence began between the two using assumed names. Gradually Effie actually did fall into love with Cross. He visited her in Dublin, and they lived there as husband and wife. According to Leonard Parry, Cross wanted to end his marriage, but not damage his social position by a messy divorce.