A SERIAL KILLER

Billy in the Bowl, also known as the Stoneybatter Strangler, was a notorious figure in Dublin's dark history of the late 1700s.

Who was Billy in the Bowl?

Born without legs, Billy Davis used a large, bowl-shaped cart to move around, hence his nickname.
He was known for his immense upper body strength, which he tragically used to overpower and strangle his victims.
His Crimes:

Billy targeted mostly women, particularly young servant girls and elderly ladies, in the Stoneybatter and Grangegorman areas of Dublin.

He would lure his victims by feigning distress and calling for help, then attack them when they approached.
Capture and Aftermath:

In 1786, Billy was caught after attempting to rob two women who fought back and alerted the authorities.

While he was never convicted of murder due to lack of evidence, he was sentenced to life imprisonment for robbery with violence.
The murders in the area ceased after his incarceration, strongly suggesting his guilt.
Legacy:

Billy in the Bowl remains a chilling figure in Dublin folklore, embodying the city's dark past of poverty, crime, and violence.
His story is often retold as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers that lurked in the shadows of old Dublin.