THE TUBBERCURRY PRISONERS—MORE DISCLOSURES.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 26, 17 October 1884, Page 23

THE TUBBERCURRY PRISONERS— MORE DISCLOSURES.

Freeman, August 23.)

We have not given publicity to the disclosures we make this week in connection with the Tubbercurry conspiracy case without having assured ourselves of their authenticity. The public have become familiar with instances of prisoners in gaols and police barracks being bullied and terrified into making incriminating statements and depositions, but it has been reserved for a couple of active and energetic members of the police force in Tubbercurry to procure evidence out of the incoherencies of a drunken pauper. We have little desire to exaggerate the importance of the statements which were made at the meeting of the Tubbercurry Board of Guardians on Monday. But, even succeeding a number of grave and serious charges against the administration of the law in Ireland, they reveal a degree of corruption in the stream of justice which is astounding and deplorable. M'Manus was a witness against the prisoners alleged to be implicated in the Tubbercurry conspiracy. He gave his evidence and went his way, but Constables Sullivan and Croniu came to the conclusion that he knew more than he had revealed, or, what was as good for them, that he might be used to make the case a stronger one for the Crown. He was visited again and again in the workhouse by the two policemen. On one occasion four policemen were at him, and M'Manus delibsrately declares that policeman Sullivan suggested he should make a " statement " which would be transmitted to Sub-Inspector Phillips, who would forward it to where money would be got for him 1 Again, when M'Manus was examined at the police barrack, although he had drunk five glasses of whiskey and two pints oE porter, he was supplied by the police with a cupful of whiskey, and Constable Croain suggested a little more stimulating beverage as calculated to nerve M'Manus "to think of more." If ever a «ystem required a drastic overhauling, it is the system of government by policemen and Crown Prosecutors which prevails in Ireland. It has nearly undermined every atom of respect for the administration o2 justice ia certain descriptions of offences, and will speedily bring contempt upon all law if a sweeping reform is not effected. Already the Tubbercurry conspiracy case has attracted much attention, and it seems to have been destined to be kept prominently before the public. At the last Sligo Assizes true bills were found against the prisoners, bat it pleased the Crown to refuse to proceed with the prosecution then, the reason assigned being that a fair trial was not to be had because of the appearance of a circular issued with the view of raising money to pay for the defence. The accused were quite ready to go on, and Mr. Devine, who had sent the circular out, explained in an affidavit his motives, which were solely benevolent, and not intended to bear upon the trial one way or the other. After some delay six of the prisoners were allowed out on bail, and on yesterday application was made to the Master of the Rolls to allow the remainder out, but he refused to do so. Mr. Taylor, for the accused, said that the evidence against the men still detained was not one whit stronger than that against the men who are out, and he added that his clients were prepared to give any substantial bail fixed by the Court. Mr. Rjna i objected, however, for the Crown. The men released, he said, we o ordinary members of the conspiracy, the men retained being leade • . Mr. Ronan undertook to have all the accused tried at the QcUA> r Commission in Dublin, and in consequence the Master of the RA.a would not take bail in any of the cases. If there were any further delay, however, in having: Durkin and Armstrong tried, he would be inclined to allow them out, and in the meantime he made a note ot the promise given on behalf of the Crown. A. great deal of public indignation has been aroused by the action, or rather inaction, of the Crown in these Tubbercurry cases. The general impression is that waiting game is the only one open to the Crown to at present play

Unfortunately, their hands cannot very well be forced, and the disclosures we publish show how necessary it is, in the interests of abstract justice, that unreasonable delays in pressing cases against accused men should not be countenanced. Every hoar that a man is in prison increases the peril in which he stand* of falling a victim to the cupidity or cruel cowardice of some miserable wretch who places a higher value upon his neck than npon his oath. While in the interests of society it is essential that the evil-doer bhould be visited with pumshmeat commoHsurate with the character nf his offence, ie is of paramount importance fnaft nothing f-hould be done to incalpate the innocent, or to weaken his chances of proving his guiltlessness. Ths trial of thass ras.i mast be proceeded with in October, or the Crown will have to sho.v very »ooi cause indeed for insisting upon another postponement. Mr OBrien Mr. Gray, and Mr. Harrington have shown tD Ministers that the case is not one to be lost eight of by the Irish party, aid that if the Crown mean to trifle longer with the freedom ot the accuied instead of trying them with decent promptitade. they will do so with a thorough knowledge that their acs are being closely scratinised.