Irish News.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVII, Issue 2, 3 May 1889, Page 9

Irish News.

Antrim.— Bight Rev. Patrick McAlister, Bishop of Down and Connor, has protested against the unjust prison treatment of William O'Brien. ,

A hastily-convened meeting was held in St. Mary's Hall, Feb. 4 by the Belfast branch of tbe National League. There was a very large assemblage in the hall. Rev. Patrick Convery presided, and opeoed the proceedings with a lengthened address, at the conclusion el which the following resolution was moved by James Brady and seconded by Edward Hughes :— That we condemn tbe fiendish atrocities perpetrated on our beloved leader, William O'Brien, M.P., by a so-called Christian Government, and we call upon the civilised world to witness that, should anything happen to William O'Brien, we will hold his malignant gioler, Balfour, primarily responsible. This resolution was supported by Dr. Dempsey, Dr. Keogb, and Joseph Donnelly, and passed unanimously. It was subsequently agreed to forward copies of tbe resolution to Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Motley, Lord Aberdeen, and Lord Spencer.

Arma*jrlt« — A Coercion Court was held at Largan to investigate charges against John Heaney, Edward Barns, Thomas McStraTick, and Patrick Henderson for resisting eviction of the first-named on Lord Lurgan's estate. Heaney was sentenced to three-months' imprisonment and tbe other defendants to one month each, Tbe Nationalists of Benburb and Tullysarea held a monster open-air meeting four miles from Armagh. Rev. Hugh McOscar, Armagh, presided, and the following resolution was adopted :— That we tender our sincere sympathy to W illiam O'Brien under tbe brutal treatment to which he has been subjected, and protest against the tyrannical conduct of the Tory Government and the Irish Chief Secretary.

Carlow*— The Carlow National League held a largelyattended meeting the other day. Rev. Edward Kavanagh presided. The following resolution was proposed by Michael O'Reilly, and seconded by Father Cullen : — That we indignantly protest against tbe barbarous treatment to which one of our best beloved countrymen, William O'Brien, is being subjected in Clonmel Gaol at the hands of the baffljd Coercionist, Balfour, whose mendacity he has bo often exposed, in his plans for the enslavement and degradation of Ireland.

Clare*— A public meeting of the inhabitants of Kilrnsh and the Vandeleur tenantry was held under tbe presidency of Very Rev. Dr. Dinan to consider tbe proposals of Captain Vandelenr for a settlement of the dispute with his tenants. Father McKenna having read the correspondence through Captain Welch, at whose instance the terms were submitted to the convention, the tenants unanimously rejeoted tbe landlord's offer which fell far Lelow their demands.

Recently Dr. Tanner, M.P., addressed several large meetings at Killimer, Tullycrine, and other villages near Eilrush. He was received by acrea 1 gathering of the Vandeleur tenants, whose determination in their struggle he warmly approved, and exhorted them to be true to their combination and that victory would soon be theirs. The police were on the alert, but the honourable gentleman completely baffled their vigilance.

A Nationalist demonstration was announced to be held in StPatrick's Temperance Hall, Hnnis, on Feb. 5 to protest against the prison treatment of William O'Brien. Balfour proclaimed tbe meeting, and Mr. Hodder, a stipendiary magistrate, with a force of police, entered the ball at the appointed time and called upon the assembly to disperse. The order was complied with, Denis HcNamara having previously called for three cheers for Mr. Balfour's captive, whico met with a hearty response. A number of Nationalists afterwards held a meeting in another hall and denounced the suppression of tbe previous meettn?.

bbenff Croker and a party of bailiffs and Bmergencymen proceeded to Knocknaore, Kilmihil, to destroy tbe house and out-offices of Patrick Haugb, an evicted tenant on the 8 lew art estate. It took tbe crowbar brigade five hours to demolish tbe buildings, during which time the bailiffs and pol ice, who used sledges, crowbars, and hatchets, were groaued at by larire crowds of people assembled in the neighbourhood When tbe sheriff's pirty ana the police were returniug they found the roads barricade i against them, and it took them come time to remove tbe obstructions. Mrs. Haugh, who was on her rieatb«bed, hetrinpr that her home \v\a knocked down, fainted. Father Glynn, of Kilmihil, was summoned to her bjdeide, and her oaee is reported as being hopeless.

Cork. — About 50 men of tbe Manchester Regiment were drawn up ou the platform at the Queen stown railway station the other day, ready to depart for Tipperary, when one called out for three cheers for William O'Brien, to wuica the others responded by cheering lastly.

The Nationalists of Cork beld a monster public meeting on February 3 to protest against the barbarous treatment of William O'Brien in Clonmel Gaol. Mayor Ryan, Or Magner of Timoleague, P. O'Hea, M.P., and Rev. W. J. Madden delivered strong speeches in denunciation ef the Government's action.

Tbe hearing ot the charge of unlawful assembly preferred against three men from Castleventry was resumed at Rosscarbery b. fore Messrs. J. C. Gardiner and G. R. Cronin, R.Ms. Tbe men were Patrick Donovan, seur., Patrick Donovan, junr., and Jeremiah Hurley, tbe two former being an evicted tenant and bis son. The prosecution was brought in connection wi i h an alleged attack on a bouse which was occupied by two Bmergencymen. The prisoners were each sentenced to two mootLs' hard labour.

At the meeting of the Cork. Harbour Commissioners, Mr Roche proposed a rtsoluiion that the Board place t n record their deep sense of the inhuman and illegal efforts that had been made by the instruments of a coercion Government to disgrace William O'Brien to the level of the meanest criminal, and their pleasure at finding that bis

brave resistance had, to a great extent, resulted in the triumph ot the principle for which he contended. Mr. Harley seconded the motion, and Denny Lane, in supporting it, said be had the highest respect for the character of William O'Brien. He weald rank William O'Brien with three men who had passed away— William Smith O'Brien, Ttom«s Davis, and Joseph Ronayne — and with the record of thocc men the noble character of the prisoner now in O'onmel would go down to posterity. The resolution was passed unanimously.

Derry.— The representatives of the late James Stephenson , Fort William, Tobermore, have just proposed to sell their Bixtowns •rate, near Draperatown, County Derry, to the tenants. The termg set forth in the circular addressed to the tenants are equivalent to 17 year*' purchase on the old rents, and 20 years purchase on tbe judicial rents. Scarcely one-sixth of the tenants, however, have judicial leases. A meeting of the tenants was held a few days ago in ihe Altoyeskey National School f jrtbe purpose of considering the conditions proposed on the part of the representative*. James Smith occupied the chair. It was finally agreed upon by the meeting that they should off* 11 years' purchase on the old rents, on the condition that the rent of 1888 be forgiven and arrears cancelled. Two tenants were then deputed to wait on Agent A9h and lay before him the terms agreed upon.

Donegal.— John Kelly, National League organiser, was sentenced to six months' imprisonment at Bunbeg, for inciting tba tenants to adopt the Plan of Campaign. Messrs Hamilton and Nagle, lieudent Magistrates, concluded at Falcarragh the trial of the prisoners for resisting eviction on tba Olphert estate. Five prisoners who held Curran's Fort against the police and bailiff* were sentenced to five months' imprisonment with hard labour. Seven others, whose resistance was not co fierce, werj sentenced to one month's hard labour each, and two were allowed out on their own recognisances. In the case ot the first five, appeals were lodged. The other prisoners were seat on to Derry Gajl.

Down.— Jadga Lefior was presented with a pair of whi c glores at Newry Quarter Sessions, there b.'ing no criminal business before the GraDd Jury.

The indignation of tbe people throughout this district is extreme at tbe persecution of Mr. O'Brieu in Cloamel Gaol. Kesolutions of .protest and of sympathy have been passed in Killoo, Bryansford, and Drumarood. The following resolutions were passed at a meeting of the inhabitants of Oastlewellan, Father Greene in the chair : —That we view with feelings of horror the inhuman treatment of William O'Brien, whom we revere as one of the most trusted leaders, and we stigmatise Balfour's pitiless persecution of him as cowardly and despicable, and owing to his defeat in the Senate and tbe country by an honourable political opponent.

Fermanagh* —At a meeting of the Enniskillen branch of the League, F«ther McMf.el in the chair, the following resolution, proposed by Thomas Mulligan, and seconded by John Francis Wray , was adopted :— Tuat we protest against the brutal and base treat* ment to which William O'Brien has been subjected in Clonmel Gaol and we offer our deepest sympathy to our gifted fellow-countryman in the cruelties and indignities he is suffering forthe cause that v now near its triumph.

Galway* —lmmediately on tbe arrest of James Lynam,of Evrecourt, a meeting of the fiyrecourt and Fahy branch of the League was called and the following resolution was carried uuanimously : — That we heaitily congratulate James Lynam on tbe honour conferred upon him iv his imprisonment by Bloody Balfour, an I as we always knew him to be a tuorjugh Nationalist and a trustworthy and reliable man we are now more determined tbaaever to work in the cause lor which he laboured so many years.

At the Dominican Church, Boula, Portumoa, on February a, Father Keany asked the prayara of the congregation fjr William O'Brien. He described briefly the brutalities to wbich the leader has been subjected in Clonmel Gaol by order of Balfour, t.nd requested all present to join with him in praying that the Lord would preserve him and give him l.fe for many years to come, and make him blessed upon earih, and de'iver him not up to the will ot bis enemic. The whole congregation then joined the priest in saying an " Our F.tther," »od three' 4 Hail Maiye," and *' Glory be to the Father," for that intention. Many of those present could not restrain their tears at hearing what Mr. O'Brien had suffered from his tortures,

Kerry.— Thf» prisoner of Clonmel was removed to Tralee Gaol on Feoruary 9, under a strong guard of military and police. Mr. O'Brieu's escort was stoned by ihe people of Clonmel. The police chirged the crowd, using tbeir batons freely. At Tippe ary a large crowd Burrounded the railway sta ion, and resisted the efforts made t> disperse it. On arriving at Mallow, Mr. O'Brien objected to being iransterred to a third-class carriage, saying that he never travelled in that way. He was finally forced into the carnage by four constables. At l'ralee the preasvre to get a viiw of tbe prisoner was terrible. Tbe police drove the peop c back several times Finally an encounter took p.ace between the police ai.d a number of ci' teens, when a number of ihe lattsr were arrested. It is rumoured tttai the connHon of O'Brien is such as to render his recovery impo sio'e. This announcement has filled bis friends with anxiety aud increased the popular iniignatiou at bis cruel treatmeut.

King's COttntjr.-TheNfttionalistsof Birr held a well-atten-ded Dublic meeting in tho i.all r f tbe Young Men's Society. The chair was taken by Father Sheahan. The fol owing resolution was a iopte I : —That we cannot fiad language adequate to express our indigoat.ou at the inhuman manner ia which William O'Biitn has been treated in Clonmel Gaol, at th« instigation of his political enemy, Bal'our, and we beg to tender to him tbe heartfelt expression of our deepest sympathy.

L,eltrim.— The stipendiary magistrate in Manchester had before him recently a charge of assault made by Mr. Conway, M.P., •gainst a constable of the city force. The Member for North Leitrim

alleged tfcatlkl the meeting at which Mr. O'Brien was arrested, the 2°° i-i* i ** uck *"* 0° tha bead . Imputations had been made that 16 ' triad to .incite the people to riot but, having tha assurance ot the authorities that that was not so, he withdrew the summons. Kuladoon National League held an important meeting under the presidency of Thomas Gaffney. The business of the meeting was confined to the consideration of correspoideace submitted by the secretary on the McHugh testimonial. In recognition of the great services rendered to the National cause by Mr. McHugh. all the membars present pledged themselves to give the testimonial their heartiest support. It was decided to open a subscription list at once and proceed on a house-to-housa canvass. It is hoped the people of Killadoon will prove as spirited on this as on foruaer occasions, aad that they will testify in a becoming manner their gratitude to one so selfsacrificing as tbe patriotic ex- Mayor of 81igo. Limerick* — Mr. Gladstone, acknowledging the receipt from Wm, Shaw<-a Limerick magistrate, of a copy of that gentleman's work oil Irish trad*, wriUs:— " I thank you for your address on Irish trade, which I have read with great interest and advantage. I appreciate your wisdom in avoiding the thorny and stormy ground of politic*, but I feel that the tendency of your work is to show how much there is to be done in Ireland th%t will never be done except by or under a native Government."

Father Merriman, of Cauleconnell, was sentenced to five weeks' imprisonment under the Coercion Act for inciting to boycotting. John Mclnerney was sentenced to one month's imprisonment ■t Oaatlcconnall Coercion Court for inciting to tbe boycotting of a land-grabber at Ballyneety. William Reeves, reporter, Limerick, was arrested by the subSherin, under ao attachment issued by Judge Boyd on January 14 for contempt of court. Mr. Reeves bad been summoned to Dublin for that date to give evidence of the speech delivered by Pierce Mabony, M.P., at a nueting held on the Glensharrold estate. He declined to give evidence as a mattei of professional principle.

I«ongffo ■*<!•— A large demonstration was held in the Market Sqoare. Lougford, fur the purpose of protesti ig against the brutal treatment of Wm. O'Brien in Clonmel Gaol. Peter Flood presided. Joseph Wilson moved the following resolutions :— That we have be <rd with the deepest feeling of indignation of the outrageous ill-treatment to which Mr. O'Brien was subjected in Clonmel Gaol ; that we believe that bj insulting and torturing their leaders the Government hope to exasperate tbe people, that, by abandoning the course of open and moderate action and by adopting retaliatory measures, they may afford an excuse for tbe continuance of the present system of lawless misgovernment.

' Bl*jro»— Relieving Officer Lavelle, of Achill, has received 50 eviction notices to be served on tenants on the estate of Major Pike, an absentee landlord.

Monaghan* — a. well-ittended meeting of tbe CJontibret branch of toe League was held oc February 3, under the presidency of Rev. A. McLemey. Tbe resolution of the CasilebUoey League was carefully considered, and it was unanimously agreed not to call on Messrs. Sudden and Connolly, the Guardians for Cromartin Division, to resign, as their conduct at tne late election of master and matron tor the workhouse was not anti- National, Hunter and Mcßiiney, between whom the choice lay, being Tories. The Nationalists of Carrickmacross held a public meeting to protest against tbe brutal treatment of William O'Brien, M.P., in Cloamel Gaol. Tbe following resolu ion was unanimously adopted : That we record our emphatic protest against the barbarous trratment of our distinguished fellow-countryman, William O'Brien, in Clonmel Gaol ; and we venture to warn all concerned that should anything serums happen to this deservedly-popular leader, lamentable results to the peace of the country will inevitably lollow.

Queen's County.— Five dogs belonging to the Aries Harriers have been poisoned. As tha Harriers' Ciub is supported principally bj Nationalists, it is likely that the poisoning was dune bj tbe Tories.

The people of Mountrath held a public meeting to protest against the barbarities to which Wm. O'Brien is being subjected in Clonmel Gaol. Bey. Edward Brennan piesided. ihe fohowiug resolution wm proposed by Bey. J. Donovan, seconded by Daniel J. Treacy, and unanimously adopted:— That we indigmntly protest against ihd barbarous and cruel treatment to which William O'Brien is baiug subjected in Clonmel Gaol, and that we her .by declare our determination to aid more strenuously than ever the noble cause tor which he suffers.

RMCOmmon<- It is reported on good authority that Lord De Freyne has offered tbe tenants on hit Frenchpark estate a reduction of 33i per cent, on non*judioial and 15 per cant, oa judicial rents and agrees to pay all costs. The tenants have agreed to acoept these conditions.

Tbe prosecution of J. R. Cox, M.P., and Jasper Tully, editor of the RotoommoTi Herald, at Carrick- m-Shaun m was concluded February 2, Sergeant ricaulon, police notetaker, having read the speech Mr. Oox delivered at Btrokeatown, the ma iistrates found the defendants guilty of conspiracy and sentenced them to four months' imprison-

vent. An appeal was entered.

Tlpperary* — An exceedingly large meeting was held in the National institute, Nenagh, to protest against the prison treatment of William O'Brien. William Foley presided. Michael Gleeson proposed the following resolution ; — That we declare that no mere words can ixpress tbe indignation which we felt on hearing of the barbarous atrocities perpetratel on William O'Brien, M.P., in Clon-

me) Gaol ; that it ib a Government of brutality and despotism, deserving unlimited contempt, which directs such cruel outrages on a < political opdnent. We lender Mr. O'Brien our whole-hearted sympathy for the struggle he is making on behalf of liberty and justice, and we so'emhly resulve now more than ever to tuppoit the principles (or which he bas suffered so tnnca. P. J. O'Brß-n, M, P., seconded the resolution, which wae uoanimcmely-'carried, •

Mayor Condon of Olonmel visited the Gaol, February 2, and found Mr. O'Brlon's oondition very moo 1 ! worse. He then had the following interview with the Govern >r :— u Ttte Mayor said : 1 will hold you aud yoar masters responsible fur Mr.O'Brien's murder unless tiere is some change in his treatment, and Iw 11 h.»ve this warning mad j public. It would be tnach mo-e mercful oa tin p irtof yoar masters if they took him out before a platoon of infantry and »hot him than to assassinate him by a process of slow and refined cruelty such as I see you are carrying out." The Governor replied: —' I have no power to alter his irea meat. The doctor is th" only nun who can order a change in Mr. O'Brien's treatment." The Mayor then aalced to have the caution he had given to be communicate 1, ani urn ess a change was ordered at once he would see to it that the doc or should be hsld responsible. The Governor promised to communicate what the Mayor had said to the doc or. The Mayor adde i that Mr. O'Brien was much weaker ; hit hands were cold and clammy, and his breathiog very hard. As a result of this interview, his clothing was returned to Sir. O'Brien.

TyrottC— Michael McGow*a occupied the chair at the recent meeting of the Stewartstown and Coalisl&nd I.N.L. Matthew Qiinn proposed and Jaaaei Danne seconded the following resolutions : — That we extend oar deepest sympathies to the evicted tenants of Falcarragh in the persecution they are andergoing for defending their homes against the crowbar briga ie, and we are re-sol vc I to support the political prisoners now in Bilfour'd dungeon* by omalaiiig the example of our leaders.

A new industry is about to be established at Coalisland in the shape of a delf pottery manufacture, which, it is anticipated, will be worked successfully. A company has been formed and they have ia coarse of preparation the necessary michioery, consisting of a kiln, which is of very large dimensions, for the pirpose of burning earthen* ware, aad is differently constructed from the others used for burning fireclay. It was at fir»t thought that the clay for the purpose w< uld have to be obtained from Cornwall, but experiments have since been made with clay founi on the shore of Lou^h Neagh, about five miles from Coalisland, which will prove more economical.

■Waterford.— There was a special meeting of the Dungarvaa branch of tbe Young Ireland Society h*ld in the Town Hall, Feoruary 4, for the purpose of protesting against the shameful treatment to which William O'Brien hat been subjected. The President, Mr. T. O'Connor, occupied the chair. E imond McCarthy proposed the following resolution, which was seconded by Jobn I'roy : — Tnat we express cur horror and indignation at the cowardly treatment to which W. O'Brien has been subjected by Balfour's hireling? in Clonmel Gaol, and we appeal to all Irianmen and our friends in Sngland to cooperate with us in denouncing tbe despotic system of prison brutality which seek* to degrade one of Ireland's noble sons.

'Westnteatn* — A Urge public meeting was held in the Lecture Hail, tfullingar, February 3 ; Rev. E. O'Beilly presided. J<mes Tuite, M.P., proposed the following resolution, which was carried unanimously :— That we record our heartfelt sympathy with William O'Brien on account of the cruel treitment which he has undergone in Clonmel Gaol, and we censure Bloody B.ilfour aud his hirelings f >r his cruel torture.

"Wcxftotxl.— The Head Constable of Taghmon has sent in a cl«im for £500 for injuries received by him at the Cotlroe evictions. The application will be beard at the next Wexford assizes.

Eight of the defenders of Somers' Fort have been transferred from Wexford ciaol to other prisons in various parts of Ireland. Thomas Somer^, Michael Morris, aid Patrick Fitzgerald have been sent to Kilkenny Gaol ; Thomas Power, John Hal), and Mich el Caul, to Dundalk ; and Jam -a Somers and W. Shiel to Kilmainhara. The cause of the removal of these prisoners has baen kept a close secret by tbe Balfourian authorities,

Dr. O'Donnell, Bishop of Raphoe, ia a letter to Archbishop Croke acknowledging receipt of £50 from his Graca as a contribution to the Donegil Evicted Tenants' Fund, writes as follows on evictions: " Eviction in Ireland has been the frui ful parent of an evil brood. It counts 6t trvatiou anguish, hatre 1, revenge, aud crime among its progeay. It bas driven the people off the iand and the land out of cultivation. It has doomed multitudes of hard-working men and women to misery, despair, and death. It h»a blurred tue imaze of the Creator in thousands of His creatures, whom it consigned to the most squalid quarters of large cities at home and abroad, and who, had they been permitted to remain where thiir fathers toiled, would have continued models of industry and uprightness Ie has robbed the poor, fostered secret societies, and provoked outrage. Yet, have the wholesale evictors grown we iltbier ot happier for the process ? Tbey have not, as far as 1 know, and certainly not on the poorer lands. An unprofitable desolatioa br< ods over the clearances whenever you go. In the interest, then, of ev^ry class, this feaiful power, which has baen so cruelly abused, should be restricted in its operations to the rogue and the idler, and should not be avail »ble for the purpose of driving, in a bad year, a whole population off ibe soil for a rent the land dcc 3 not produce. Such pioceedings as took place at Falcarragb do not help to gather money from tenants at the present stage of Irish history, and it may be fairly doubted whether the memory of them will be a desirab c inheritance hereafter. The evicted tenants have (offered heavily— but they believe their day is coming, and they are strong in the sympathy that has poured in upon them frm far and near. I believe th^y will consider it a balm for their worst ill* to be the subject of such a letter Irom your Grace Archbishop Croke. You need not, I'm ture, fear that they will show themselves unwortny of your esteem by any act of outrage. The many who have admired their courage will not see them in want, and they feel pretty confi lent of holding an honoured, if humble, plice in their na ivo lind when the despotism that effected their eviction ban received sentenc* from the voters in Gr<.at Britain an.d, Irelw i at the rest election, '