Untitled

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 428, 24 June 1881, Page 7

Mr. Forster's affection for buckshot is apparently as great an ever. In the House of Commons on Tuesday night, replying to a question put by Mr. Sexton iv reference to the fatal affray at Ballaghaderpen, the Chief Secretary stated that he was not disposed to return to the use of bullets for the constabulary, a 9 he considered that buckshot was not so " inhuman " as bullets. Judging by Mr. Forster's reply on the same occasion, it would seem as if it were improbable that any effect will be given to the verdict of wilful murder returned by the jury at the inquest on the two men, Bryan and Flannery, who were killed. The Chief Secretary states that the police and the process-servers were attacked in a savage manner by the crowd, and the police only fired in self-defence, and " they were justified in doing so." As an answer to this it may be pointed out that one of the constables themselves stated at the inquest that no attack was made on the police until Armstrong fired his rifle. As to the finding of the coroner's jury, Mr. Forster " was glad to say " it would only have the same effect as a committal before a magistrate. The verdict, as in all similar ones, would be submitted to ihe Attorney-General for his direction on it. All this probably means that we are to hear very little more of the Ballaghadereen shooting case from the Government as far as an official prosecution of the police is concerned. — Nation, May 7th. In Ireland the arrest of Mr. Dillon has called forth the strongest condemnation of the tyrannical action of the Government, and expressions of sympathy have been universal. Not since the recommittal of Michael Davitt to penal servitude has the Irish heart been so deeply stirred. In almost every part of Ireland meetings of indignation have been held, and resolutions have, been made that the Irish cause will not be allowed to suffer in Mr. Dillon's absence. At the meeting of the Land League subsequently the arrest was referred to at length, and was strongly condemned as unnecessary and useless from the Government's point of view. The National land League of Great Britain, and other organisations, have joined in condemning the executive for depriving Mr. Dillon of his freedom.