EXCITING EVICTION IF IRELAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8449, 23 March 1889, Page 6

EXCITING EVICTION IF IRELAND.

(Fhosi Oub Own Ooi2kespondent.)

London, January 11,

la the absence of any stirring political news we have been treated to a renewal of the eviction sensation which flourished some nine months ago. On Friday last there was a most dramatic scene on tho Olphert estate at Ardmore. Somehow or other it ended in smoke, as such things are wont to do i,i Ireland. Some 200 military, under Mr Bonrke, R.M., Major Menfc, and County-inspector Lennon left Falcarragb at 9 o'clock In the morning. The roads leading to the house of Neal Doogau, who was to be evicted, were cut, and thus a louir circuitous route over a rough country had to be undertaken. This was carried out with great difficulty in consequence of the ladder* crowbars, hammers, &c. which the emergency men took with them. After a seven miles' march (.hn house was reached On the face of :» hill overlooking the edifice was an assemblage of about 2000 people Fathers Ll'Fadden and Stephens and other Catholic clergymen were ordered outside the military cordon, and then the GOth Rifles fixed bayonets and moved the people away. Doogan, the caretaker to be evicted, had spent many years in Montana, and on the bailiffs demanding possession he declared himself an American citizen, and defied them to touch him. His house, which was two-storied, was about 50ft long. Tho two-storied portion was strongly fortified. The upper windows were converted into loopholes. There were two of these at the front and rear, and one at either cud. It was reported at an eariy stage that tho tenant and 12 men with him were armed with Winchester repeating rifles. Doogan was no doubt accustomed to use firearms, and firing on I he evicting party was very much drwidsd. Couuty-iuiipector Leimsm spoke to the tenant, «"iio declared that he would <".ie before >ie surrendered. Here a conversation lirtwcn the f.urhoritits and Father Stevens rwlc |)!iice. TU" cleruvman told Mr Bo'.u-ke, fh- rtvMile.nt: magistrate, that if ha could bd would get. tho men in tile house to bund out their weapons. Major Mends told Father Stephens that that was an incriminatory admission of the priest's power. Father Stephens replied that he distinctly used the words, " If I

teuant replied, " [ care as little for the Queen as for the devil." Mr Bourke said the nouse must be fired into, and Major Meuds told the tenant that if he got orders to taku the house he would do so, should he kill every man. The excitement now was intense. About an hour

aftur the reading of the Riot Act it was decided to take the house. Tha bailiffs afterwards came forward, and were repulsed with stones. Father Stephens urged the inmates to hand out their weapons, or not use them if they had any. The tenant replied : " I will give my enemies no information of my intentions.1' The Riot Act was aijaiu read, and the firing parties of soldiers covered the windows all round. Ladders carried by the agent and bailiffs, assisted by District Inspector Herd, and tiie police were' rushed forward, aud battered against the firm miscnry with which the windows were filled. A body of constabulary with fixed bsiyonets were ready for a charge i:iro the house. 'The attack-

ing party wera driven buck with volleys oil large stones atuid loud cheers, yells, aud groans from the large crowds in the background. The military nnd police then attempted to capture the ladder.--, during which District Inspector Herd wan struck on the forehead with a very

large stone. He was knocked dowu. aud immediately carried to the rear. The military doctor stated he' had received a rather deep scalp wound. Blood flowed freely until the baudage was applied. One of the bailiffs received a, severe knee wound. The people cheered on the repulse, and the resident magistrate gave the order to fire. Major Mends ordered up 10 soldiers, and directed them to load. They did so, aud were standing withiu syds of the now greatly enlarged aperture when three Catholic clergymen came forward and implored the men to surrender. Major Meuds asked, "Do you surrender ?" and the tenant shouted out something which could not be distinctly heard, but it is believed the words were, " Only for the priests we would die here." Major Mends accused the priests of exciting the people. Thirteen men in the house were handcuffed, and three pitchforks, some poleß, sledgehammers, and hot water were also tsken out. The prisoners were lodged in Derry Gaol; apparently this has had the effect of quieting the people, for the evictions next day were carried out with no fus3 or trouble.