IRISH MATTERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1862, 29 July 1887, Page 15

IRISH MATTERS.

On the night of the 21st June, in Cork, a mob attacked the office of the Constitution, a Conservative paper, and smashed in all the windows of the building. The police charged the rioters and dispersed them after some heavy fighting. Fifty persons were reported as injured. On the same clay jubilee bands were attacked at Carrick Hill in Belfast by a party of the Catholics. The Orangemen of the district took sides with the bandsmen, and the fight was only quelled by strong exertion on the part of the police. Several policemen were badly hurt. Editor O'Brien was welcomed at Dublin on June 9, on returning from his Canadian mission, by the greatest ovation witnessed in that city for years.

In consequence of the Mayor of Cork hoisting a black flag on the occasion of the Queen's jubilee celebration, and because of his having shown favour to Nationalists, Mr Plunkett, divisional magistrate, has superseded him and ordered that ouly a resident paid magistrate shall try prisoners.

The annual meeting of the Catholic archbishops and bishops was held at Maynooth College on June 23. A resolution was passed denouncing the coercion measure before Parliament.

Frank Hugh O'Donnell, ex-M.P. for Dungaroon and ex-vice-president of the Home Rule Confederation, has sued the London Times for libel contained in the " Farnellism and Crime " articles.

At the request of Mr Parnell, Mr Gill has withdrawn from the candidacy for the office of Lord Mayor of Dublin in favour of Mr Sexton. William Murphy, Nationalist member of Parliament, has commenced proceedings against Captain Blackburn, captain of H.M.S. Shannon, for seizing his yacht in Bautry Bay recently because she fle>* a green flag on Jubilee Day. Damages are laid at £1000.

Prince Albert Victor of Wales reviewed troops in Phoenix Park, Dublin, on June 28. The reception given to the Prince by the populace was a mixed one, cheers and hisses being mingled.

The Pope was induced to send a Papal mission to Ireland at the instance of the English bishops, clergymen, and laymen, as the reports of Irish bishops on the condition of Ireland were said to be exaggerated.- Monsignors Persico and Geroldi, the commissioners, arrived in Dublin on June 23.

The Standard of June 27 says ;— " It ia understood that on the passage of the Crimes Bill through the House the Government will issue a special proclamation declaring the National League in the counties Clare and Cork to be an illegal association, and will also proclaim those counties and bring them within the range of the secret inquiry and summary jurisdiction section of the act."

Prince Albert Victor of Wales laid the foundation stone of the new wing of the hospital for incurables at Donnybrook on June 29. He was fairly well received. Evictions of tt-nants continue to be made on Lord LaHsdowne's estates for non-payment of rent.