The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-04-02 00:00:00

THE STATE OF IRELAND.
FATHER RYAN AND THE POLICE.

There was great excitement at Flospital, county
Limerick, on Monday, in consequence of the expected
arrest of the Rev. Father Ryan, who had gone to
Berbertstown. Be was to have returned about noon,
and nearly 100 police and large numbers of people
from outlying districts were in the town, while all the
shops were closed. Court Bailiff Sleith, accompanied
by a party of police, made a search in several houses
at Herbertstown for Messrs. Slattery and Carroll, but
failed to find them. They then proceeded to Hospital
to search for Father Ryan at his own house and at
Canon Scully'e, as well as at the office of the
Munster Bank, and other places in the village,
without result. All the morning the chapel bell
was kept ringing, and the people continued
to arrive from Emly, Ballylanders, Kilteely,
and Bruff. Two district inspectors and Mr. Irwin,
R.M., Limerick, are in charge of the police. One
constable named Downey refused to accompany the
party sent to assist the police. Father Ryan, having
evaded arrest, drove to Limerick Junction, and pro-
ceeded by ordinary train to Dublin. At the junction
a large crowd, with a band and several priests assem-
bled, and cheered vociferously. Replying to addresses
which were presented, Father Ryan, said he was pre-
pared to go to prison, and had no fear that Judge
Boyd, the miserable tool of a wretched Tory Adminis-
tration, would succeed in extracting from him the
seerets entrusted to him by his people. Other priests
also spoke,and the train left amidst enthusiastic cheers.
Father Ryan arrived at Dublin shortly after eleven
o'clock. He stepped into the Lord Mayor's carriage,
which was in waiting, and accompanied by Mr.
William O'Brien and Mr. Crilly, M.P., drove by a
circuitous route to the Imperial Hotel. The carriage
was accompanied by bands and an enormous con-
course of people with banners.
COMMITTAL OF FATHER RYAN.

On Tuesday Judie Boyd sat in the Bankruptcy
Court for the examination of witnesses in the case of
Thomas Moroney, the bankrupt tenant on the
O'Cirady's county Limerick estate, who has been com-
initted for contempt of court to Bilmainhain prison
Archbiahop Croke, the Lord Mayor, M.P., and Mr.
!William O'Brien were present. The first witness
examined was the Rev. Matthew Ryan. He said
pefore being sworn he wished to protest against taking
the oai.h at all, as he considered being asked to do so
was an insult to the priests and people of Ireland, as
was done with the intention of getting him to reveal
matters which had been confided to him as a priest.
His lordship said it would be time enough to make an
!objection when asked an objectionable question. Fat her
iltyan then took the oath, but on being asked by Dr.
!Houston if he knew Thomas Moroney, declined to
answer on the grounds already stated. His lordship
said that such grounds furnished no excuse. Mr.
Adams then rose and said he appeared for the wit-
nesses. He urged that the same privilege which
professionally was extended to counsel, attorneys, and
!others should be extended to priests. Judge Boyd
isaid he should be very sorry to ask a priest to die-
!close anything that had been confided to him pro.
Ifessionally, though he would not say whether he
could compel him to do it or not. There was ne legal
right to refuse to answer a lawful question; there-
-fore be would ask him to answer the question. Father
Ryan refused to do so. The announcement was re-
ceived with loud applause in court. Judge Boyd
ordered a warrant to be made out for the priest's
arrest. Father Ryan thanked his lordship. William
Slattery, on being called, also refused to answer the
, questions put to him, and was committed. The bank-
ruptcy messenger procured a cab while the committals
were being made out, and had it brought into the
court yard, and shortly afterwards Father Ryan and
Slattery entered it amid loud cheers, and in company
with the messenger drove off by the quays to Kit-
mainham. The cab left the yard by a back entrance,
and the moment it reached the front street mounted
police rode in between it and the crowd following.
I The, Lord Mayor ,Archbishop Croke, and Mr. William
;O'Brien drove after the crowd to the gaol.