PEER’S WIDOW STONED.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17078, 16 April 1927, Page 10

PEER’S WIDOW STONED.

WHY PLACE OF TRIAL CHANGED. An extraordinary story was told at the Dublin criminal Court when Bernard Heavey was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment on a charge of illegal and riotous assembly at Ardfry, Oranmorc, near Gal way City, on August 9. 1926. It was alleged that he and other persons compelled employees of Lady Wallscourftwidow of Lord Wallsourt, who died in 1918) to give up their work at the Wallscourt estate as caretakers. Lady Wallscourt, it was stated, went from London to Ireland to take up apartments in the steward's lodge, then occupied by a man named Stephens and his family. Masked and armed men, led by Heavey undisguised, called upon Lady Wallscourt to sign an undertaking that Stephens and his family should leave the place. Lady Wallscourt denounced them as cowards. Another house, occupied by one of Lady Wallscourt's employees was attacked. Heavey and other men were arrested and their trial was an occasion for a public demonstration in Galway, where Lady Wallscourt was stoned and assaulted when she appeared outside the courthouse. The atmosphere at Galway was such that the place of tho trial had to be transferred to the Dublin Central Criminal Court.