Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVI, Issue 7, 8 June 1888, Page 9

Irish News.

Antrim.— Th s area of Antrim covers 762,080 acres ; population, according to last census, 421,943 ; population of the chief town, Belfast, is 208,122. The County is divided into 14 baronies, 71 parishes, 8 parts of parishes, and 1,741 town lands. Edward Grear, J. P,, Jerome Guiry, J.P.,and Hugh Johnson, J.P,, the Commissioners of the Ulster Sub-Commission, heard the following caaes recently : — G. Graham, landlord ; Duncan O'Neill, tenant ; area, 50a. lip. ; valuation, £9 10s ; rent, £18. Stephen M. Campbell, landlord ; Charles O'Neill, tenant ; area, 14a. 2r. 12p. ; valuation, £23 15s ; rent, £36. The chairman decided that the latter holding was town park land, not comiug under the operation of the Land Act of 1881, and dismissed the application,

Armagh.— Area, 328,086 acres ; population, 163,177. Chief town, Armagh ; population, 10,070. The County is divided into 8 baronies, 28 parishes, and 970 town lands.

A large meeting of the wearers was recently held to co-operate with tbe hand-loom weavers of Lurgan, who are agitating for the passage of a measure providing that all webs given out by weavers should be of equal length. Nearly a hundred of the weavers were present. A: Bewail presided, and dwelt on the maoufer in which, of late years, the length of the web had been extended, while the wages of the weaver had been actually reduced . They could only obtain justice by combining to demand amendment just at the Scotch tradesmen had reduced the hours in the working day. J. McGirr moved and T. Medley seconded :—": — " That we, the cambric weavers of Drumgor, do hereby promise to co-operate heartily with the cambric handloom weavers of Lurgan in their lawful efforts to have the grievances of which they complain redressed ; and we express our approval of the Bill to settle the length of the web."

Cavan,— Area, 477,399 acres ; population, 129,476. Chief town, Cavan ; population, 3,050. The County is divided into 8 baronies, 36 parishes, and 1,986 town lands.

Cootehill Irish National League, Thomas Brady, T. C, chairman, has increased materially in numbers during tbe past year. Some new members from Kill were initiated. — *^Clare» —Percy H. Snelling, delegate of the London Anti-Coer-cion Association, was sent to prison for seven months with hard labour the other day at Sixmilebridge for advising the people to adopt the Plan of Campaign. The eleven Milltown-Malbay prisoners who were sentenced to one month's imprisonment for refusing to supply the police with refreshments, were released from Limerick prison on March 17, as was also John Kerin, publican, who has undergone a like sentence for groaning at the police. A large number of police, under the command of District- Inspector Hill, attended at the station to prevent any demonstration of sympathy with the released men.

Two of Balfour's henchmen, Messrs, Welch and Irwin, R.M.s, held a special court «t Kilkee on March 17. Bight farmers' sons were charged with '• unlawful assembly " on the occasion of Mr. O'Brien's release. Mr. Hilliard, Eilrusb, defended the prisoners. Sergeant Healy, who represented the Crown, admitted that the district had been quiet since February. He said that the reason why the prisoners had been prosecuted was because Father Glynn had said that if a police-hut were erected on every hill-top meetings would be held. Mr. Hilliard said his clients should not be held responsible for language used by others. The prisoners were convicted and let out on their •vrn recognisances.

The hearing of the charge of unlawful assembly brought against Thomas Lenane, James Clancy, Daniel Connell, Michael Meade, John Aherne, Denis O'Longhlin, Thomas Burke, Patrick Hartigan, Michael Moloney, and Thomas Donohoe was resumed at Miltown-Malbay on March If, District-Inspector Otter prosecuted, and defendants were represented by Thomas Lynch, solicitor, Ennis. After evidence by police witnesses Mr. Lynch, examined Dr. O'Brien, who corroborated tbe evidence of the head constable as to the peacefulness of the proceedings on the day in question. Mr. Lynch said he had adyised his clients not to retain any professional man, as nothing that he could do would influence the decision of the magistrates. He called no further witnesses, and James Clancy and Thomas Donoghue were sentenced to two months', and Daniel Conn el. John Aherne, and Patrick Har. tigan to six weeks* imprisonment, The charge against William Reidy, William O'Dwyer, and John McGuire for inducing certain persons not to work for the Royal Irish Constabulary on February 8 was adjourned for a month.

At Ennis, April 19. the sentences of three tradesmen convicted of boycotting were, on appeal, increased from three to six month's imprisonment.

Cork.— After the Grand Jury of the County Cork had disposed of the criminal business of the court, they passed this resolution condemning tbe Coercion Act :— " Resolved, that this Grand Jury strongly protests against the manner in which the Coercion Act is being administered . That we consider it an outrage on civilisation and a return to the barbarous practices of by-gone times, that men of unimpeachable character should, for speeches delivered at publio meetings, and for newly-made Press and other offences, be subjected to the same hardships and indignities as criminals convicted of gross violations of the moral law." Copies were cent to Mr. Parnell, Mr. Gladstone, Salisbury and Balfour.

The Board of Guardiana met March 15, Mr. Gallwey being chairman. Dr. Tanner, M.P., proposed a resolution condemning the County Grand Jury for awarding Constable Leahy £1,000 compeneation. Such action was an incitement to the constabulary to commit outrage by granting a premium lo the miscreants whose action was now under consideration in a court of secret inquiry in the city. Mr. Gallwey declined to take the resolution, and the Nationalist Guardians present refused to allow any other business to be disposed of. After an exciting debate lasting four hours, the Nationalist Guardian

passed the resolution. In the course of the debate Dr. Tanner advised the people of Mitchelstown not to pay the tax. Jeremiah Kelleher, a respectable farmer, was recently evicted in a most shameful manner at Corkhill, near Millatreet. A force of 36 police, led by sub-Inspector Hill, proceeded to the place during Mr E>lleher's absence and drove oat his family and cattle nnder a fearful downpour of rain. The head landlord is Samuel W. Adams and the petty landlord Mrs. John O'Donnell. The writ bore the names of both. After the eviction Sergeant Horaa told Mr. Kelleher's son that if he attempted to take possession again he would be imprisoned. On the withdrawal of the constabulary a public meeting was held to sympathise with the evicted family and protest against the inhuman proceedings of the landlords and police.

Donegal.— Area, 1,197,154 acres ; population, 206,035 ; chief town, Ballyshannon : population, 2,840. The County is divided into 6 baronies, 51 parishes, and 2,627 town lands.

The six men charged with riot and unlawful assembly at the recent Meencladdy meeting, which was addressed by Father! McFadden and Stephens, were arraigned before Magistrates Harvey and Ulick Burke at Bunbeg. Three of them were sentenced to six months, and three to three months' imprisonment. All the men appealed and are out o|i bail. George Hewson, J.P,, agent for the Oliphert estate, paid an early morning visit to this neighbourhood March 15, and seized a mare, the property of Hugh McFadden, Viewtown, on a decree for two years' rent. As the seizure was effected at 1 a.m. by Mr. Hewson and four policemen it is thought to be illegal. Twenty-two notices of eviction on the Oliphert estate are now visible on the police barrack here.

Anticipating the usual celebration on St. Patrick's Day at Falcarrah and Clougbaneely, near Letterkenny, the Government proclaimed the district. It is reported that a detachment of dragoons was ordered to proceed there from Letterkenny. County-Inspector Lennon, with a large force of police and 100 of the 16th Rifles front Gweedore, nnder command of Mr. Bourke, 8.M., were drafted into Falcarrah.

At the Coercion Court held at Bunbeg, ex-Constable Quigley, who, it will be remembered, rssigned from the 8.1.0. in Februarj as a protest against the arbitrary arrest of Father McFadden, of Gweedore, was prosecuted by the Crown for refusing to do duty on February 13 and 14. Mr. Quigley defended his action in an able speech . He said he sent in his resignation on February 10. Notwithstanding his plain case against the Government, tin pres ding magistrate, Mr. Hamilton, R.M., sentenced him to two months' imprisonment with hard labour or a fine of £5. Mr. Quigley has given notice of appeal.

Dublin* — Most of the estimates that concern the working of the Coercion Act show an increase The constabulary mounts up from £1,412,315 to £1,439,288 ; the Jcounty court officers shows an increase of £11,896. The criminal prosecutions vote amounted t« £73,500. There is a decrease of £54,000 in the Land Commission vote. The Local Government Board vote shows a decrease of £1,311, and the Board of Works vote a decrease of £6,023. The public Education vote shows an increase of £24,474, of which £19,000 is to be absorbed in the pay of principal and assistant teachers, and £4,500 by the pay of work-mistresses. The Prisons vote shows a decrease of £8,000. la the Law Charges vote, Crown Solicitor George Bolton receives an increase of £200 to his salary of £650 a year.

Mr. William O'Brien, M.P. was arrested, on arriving at Kingston, Saturday, April 22, in consequence; of his speech at the meeting at Loughrea, the previous Sunday. He was taken to the Loughrea Gaol. The sentence of Father McFadden, who was condemned to three months' imprisonment for holding anti-landlord and anti-police meetings, on his appeal was increased to six months. He will be treated as a first-class prisoner.

The case of Alexander Blanc, M.P., who was convicted of inciting tenants to violence, was heard on appeal to-day. His sentence was increased from four months' to six months' imprisonment. Th« sentence of Father Stephens was confirmed. In February last Father Stephens was convicted at Falcaragh of advising tenants not to pay their rents, and was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. Mr. Snelling, the delegate of tbe British Anti-Coercion League, who was sentenced to six months' imprisonment, had his sentence reduced to two months, without hard labour.

Mr. William O'Brien declares that the arrest of Mr. John Dilloa will not interfere with the progress of the Plan of Campaign .

Galway.— P- M'Gann, of Attymore, Kiltulla, was azresled, March 16, and taken to Clifden Gaol for using " seditious language " at the latter place in January. Father Donohoe, P.P., Arran, has received £20 from Archbishop M'Evily, of Tuam, to purchase seed potatoes to crop the lands of the poor people on the islands.

C. J. O'Kelly, Callagh, Tuam, has succeeded in gettiag a decree for rack-rent, and costs of £91 8s against Mr. Corcoran, Annacalla, LawrencetowD. Although the tenant still holds his own, it is expected the Crowbar Brigade will be soon brought into requisition in hii case.

The Galway Board of Guardians have refused to relieve the distress in the Arran Islands. The Local Government Board has written, showing where the Union paid other cheques amounting to £300, and that they would be compelled to relieve the distress. Father O'Donohue, P.P., has received £5 from Lord Portarlington for the purpose.

A crowd of 2,000 persons, with bands, and waggons laden with beer and provisions, left Tuam, County Galway, Thursday morning, April 12, for the farm of Mrs. Bodkin, at Cloondaroon. Their intention was to plough and sow her lands. They were followed by a force of police. Mrs. Bodkin's tenants have adopted the Plan of Campaign and hare been served with notices of eviction. Kerry. — Notwithstanding Balfonr's proclamation, the Killor glin and Milltown Irish National League, met Sunday, March 11, o ■ Cur-na-Promin, Rev. Thomas Lawler, P.P., chairman. William

O Bnen proposed, and Mr. Hegarty seconded a resolution condemning tne lory coercion policy. J. D. Foley was the principal speaker. A conrt was held lately at Rathmore, the magistrates present being Captain Mawsey and Major Hutchinson. Timothy Galvia complained that he was " intimidated " by Daniel D. O'Connor, postmaster at Kneeoguilla, on January 27, for working for R. H. Orpeo, ir /J5? WBter fieldi D ' M> Moriarty, solicitor, Killarney, defended aL' " OoD . ncr » District-Inspector Crane appearing fcr the Crown. After hearing Mr. Moriarty's address the magistrates decided that Mr. ULonnor was gnilty of intimidation under the Crimes Act, and sent nun to the County Gaol for three months.

Kilkenny.— Eight tenants of W. J. Smithwick, at Lower Orange, Goresbndge, were served with notice of eviction. Mr. Corcoran, P.L.G., lately imprisoned under the Crimes Act, is one of them 4

At the meeting of the Windgap branch Irish National League, there,bemg present Rev. P. Phelan, P.P., chairman ; Rev. T. Brennan, C.C.; John Comerford, M. Fitzgerald, A. Dwyer, M. Lonergan, James Power, M. O'Brien, T. Phelan, Andrew Coghlan, and P. Moore, the recent action of sub-Inspector Hewitt, of Callan, regarding ticket No: 6 at the Church drawing, which was marked, " An Irish Pike of 98, was strongly denounced. The police were ordered to seize the pike if there was no license for holding it, but the parish priest refused to give it up.

I»eltrim. — Matthew J. Barrett and Thomas Costello, who were lately imprisoned here, are in good spirits. J. M. Joyce, R.M., conducted a '• Star Chamber " inquiry under the Coercion Act, March 15, and examined M. F.Gallagher, Thomas Regan, Michael McNabola, and Kate Kane. Mr. Gallagher refused to give evidence and was threatened with imprisonment, but the threat wasn't carried into effect.

KrOngffbrd. — Fiye families were evicted at Newtowncashel, near the Shannon, by T. Gill, sub-Sheriff, and 200 police under Mr. Hill, R.M. These evictions are the result of expensive litigation by the landlord, who brought them to the superior courts, where the costs, together with the lent due, are now 90dols.

I<OUtll.— The inquiry into the death of Patrick Kelly at Red Barn, February 26, before Mansfield, R.M., at Dundalk, proved that he was shot by Sergeant Holland, sth Dragoon Guards. Holland was returned for trial.

Mr. John Dillon, M.P., was arraigned before a magistrate at Drogheda, Tuesday afternoon, April 17, upon a charge of exciting tenants to non-payment of rent. He was remanded and released on bail pending his trial, which will take place on May 9. Mr. Dillon was greeted with enthusiastic cheers by a tremendous crowd as be emerged from the court room. In response to the calls of hi 3 admirers for a speech, he delivered a brief address in which he declared that if Mr. Balfour was satisfied with having arrested him he also was delighted. He assured his hearers that his arrest would not increase rent-paying in Ireland in the least. Shortly after his release Mr, Dillon returned to Dublin.

Mr. Parnell has approved the candidacy of the Mayor of Limerick for member of the House of Commons.

Meath.— The warm-hearted men of Meath are justly proud of the distinguished record of one of their number, the Very Rev. William Byrne, V.G., of the Archdiocese of Boston, as they proved by the splendid reception they gave him on the occasion of his visit to his native place, Dun sany. Father Byrne celebrated Mass for the first time in Ireland in his old parish church on Easter Sunday, in presence of a large congregation. The following Thursday he was the guest of the Rt. Rev. Dr. Nulty, Bishop of Meath, at a banquet at which all the priests of the diocese were present.

Monaghan.- On Sunday, March 11, the Keady (John Mitchel) branch held their weekly meeting at Parnell Square, Rev. P. Murtagh, chairman. The President, Alexander Mcßride, delivered a masterly lecture on the National League Movement . At its conclusion John Hughes proposed and James Mone seconded a vote of thanks to the lecturer. The branch had a reunion on St. Patrick's night.

Patrick McEneany, of Corquillogue, was recently evicted by his landlord, Bernard McCaul, of Oarrickmacross. William "Vance, of Shirley campaign notoriety, was the instrument of the " law " in this case. As McEneany did not yield quietly the bailiff broke in the door with a large stone and put the tenant's wife and children out under a terrible downpour of sleet. McCaul witnessed the cruel proceeding. After the eviction McEneany was readmitted as caretaker.

Queen's Cottnty. — An interesting event took place in the Monastery of the Brothers of St. Patrick, Mountrath, Queen's County, on April 3rd, when under the presidency of the venerable Bishop of Eildare and LeighHn, the election of the first Superior-General of the Order took place. The event marks the attainment by the Brotherhood of the full privileges and position of a religious congregation, This recognition, which has been secured from the Propaganda, with the cooperation and approval of the Irish Episcopacy, has been merited by several decades of devoted labour in the cause of Irish education.

Tyrone.— The Donagheady (O'Brien) I.N.L.,metat Kerlins, Straw, for initiation of members and attending to registration. Rev. B. MullhollandjC.C, Donemana, chairman, in an appropriate address advised all present to become members, and let Balfour see that his coercion could not intimidats them. The chairman referred to the Balfourian regime in no complimentary terms. The meeting was next addressed by John McCrossan, T.C., Strabane, and Francis McCoßkey, Park. The enrollment of members occupied some time, as all present who had not been such took their tickets of membership. The reverend Chairman and his friends were entertained by Mr. Kerlin.

"Waterford.— At the opening of the Assizes, March 16, Edmund Leamy, B. L., protested against the Crown's action in not putting the Mayor's name on the commission.

Westmeatn.— P. J. O'Sullivan, who recently resigned from the R. 1.0., rather than arrest Father McFadden, of Q weed we, County Donegal, has written a strong letter to the Mullingar Branch of the 1.N.L., thanking the League for its resolutions of apDroval of his action, and criticising the tyrannical course of the Tory Government in arresting the leaders of the Irish people.

. Wexforcl.— At the recent meeting, Bey. Canon Doyle, chairman, the police tried to enter the League Boom* bat were not admitted. There were also present :— Bev. J, Brown, M. McGratb, M. Ryan, W. Power, P. Wallace, T. O'She», J. Sheehan, J. Murphy, and J. Carroll. This resolution was passed : — " That, being in a hard fight last year, we were unable to send oar usual contribution to the Central League, but we now send £40 to help in carrying on the fight of our oppressed fellow countrymen. The meeting at New Ross, Sunday, April 15. wu small and passed off quietly. Tne soldier* and police were confined to their barracks. The meeting expressed indignation at the arrest of Mr. O'Brien. Detectives watched Mr. Dillon's Dublin residence. On Sunday four bands serenaded Mr. Dillon, and several friends visited him. A crowd ia front of the house cheered for the Home Bale leaders, groaned for Balfour, and sang •• Hang Bloody Balfour on a sour Apple Tree," until the police interfered. Mr. Dillon was confined to his residence all day. An inspector, holding a warrant for Mr. Dillon's arrest, knocked at the door in the afternoon. A servant opened the door cautiously, and on seeing the inspector, slammed the door in his face. The Lord Mayor was among Mr. Dillon's visitors.