IRISH "OUTRAGES."

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4901, 19 October 1901, Page 4

IRISH " OUTRAGES."

Remarkable revelatioDS have recently been made concerning the recrudescence of agrarian outrages in Ireland. The investigations of the authorities show that i police sergeant named Sheridan has for years paßt maintained his reputation as an able and conscientious officer by manufacturing crimes. His last victim, Kyan, is described by Mr Wyndham as a doddering and debilitated old tramp, 65 years old and nearly blind. Tbis old man was charged with fixing threatening notices to a gate, bat the eaEe broke down, and after a fortnight's detention 1 Kyan was discharged A secret inquiry was Bet on foot by Mr Wyndbam, and tbis brought to light the other outrages which Sheridan had perpetrated. A young peajsant, it turned car, n&A been bt>aleuce& to two years' imprisonment for muti lating cows. He served his time, but the outrage was tbe work of Sberidan himself. A man named Say was sent to prison for three years for setting a hayrick on fire. This was another of Sbeiidan's convictions, and tb© Government compensated Kay, but tbe unfortunate man only lived for four months after his release. The convictions were obtained by systematic jury-packing. In the case of tbe farmer charged with mutilating cattle no fewer than feixty persons called as jurymen were ordered to stand aside by tbe Crown. Yet Mr Wyndbam declared in the House of Commons tbat it would be impossible to obtain a conviction against the criminal, who was, however, promptly discharged from tbe Constabulary. There is every reason to believe that Sberidan is not the only crime manufacturer in tbe force, and the newspapers contain specific charges against individuals, which they call upon Mr Wyndbam to investigate. The Secre tary of State for Ireland can hardly refuse to act in these cases, but so far be has contented himself with a secret departmental enquiry. Mr Dillon has been pressing for a public enquiry, and the Irish leaders have promised to supply evidence.