The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1888-02-04 00:00:00

THE AGITATION IN IRELAND.

At a Crimes Act Court in Poolderry, county Ros-
common, Mr. P. O'Brien, M.P., and Mr. T. Byrne,
have been each sentenced to four months' imprison-
ment for speeches delivered on New Year's Day,
inciting tenants. Mr. John Hayden was sentenced to
three months' imprisonment for a similar offence.
Appeals were lodged. Mr. O'Brien was subsequently
re-arrested on another charge.

The proceedings under the Crimes Act against Mr.
Cox, M.P., were resumed at Ennis on Saturday, and
resulted in a sentence of four months' imprisonment
without hard labour. Notice of appeal was lodged,
and the accused admitted to bail, but on leaving the
court Mr. Cox was re-arrested on a further charge.

The hearing of the charge against Father M'Fadden
of taking part in an illegal conspiracy, namely, the
"Plan of Campaign," was resumed at Dunfanaghy on
Monday, before a special Court. The prisoner con-
ducted his own defence, called no witness, but argued
at length that the case for the Crown was incomplete.
The Court, however, held that the charge had been
proved, and sentenced the rev, gentleman to three
months' imprisonment. Notice of appeal was given.
Father M'Fadden has received from the Catholic
Bishop of Derry a letter bidding him to be of good
cheer, as no matter how the trial goes victory will be
his. On Monday the Rev. Daniel Stephens, Father
M'Fadden's curate, was arrested whilst entering the
court at Dunfanaghy. The excitement over the north-
west is intense; the military and police guards are
being doubled.

The annual meeting of the Irish Loyal and Patriotic
Union was held in Dublin on Tuesday, the Provost of
Trinity College presiding. Among the speakers were
Mr. T. W. Russell, M.P., and Colonel Saunderson, M.P.,
the former remarking that the publication of the
Ripon-Morley Reception Committee had shown that
the overwhelming bulk of the intelligence, the wealth,
and the industry of the country was hostile to Mr.
Gladstone and his supporters. Colonel Saunderson
said he looked forward to the debate on the Address
with pleasure, having no fear that those who had
stood by the Government hitherto would now forsake
them.

An agrarian murder is reported from county
Kerry. James Fitzmaurice, an aged farmer, was
iriving with his daughter to the pig fair at Listowel
in the early morning, when he was assailed on the
road by two men, who shot him dead. The murderers
escaped; but two men named Moriarty and Kayes
have been arrested. Fitzmaurice had been boycotted
and was under police protection for taking possession
71 land that had been occupied by his brother, who
had been denounced by the National League. At the
inquest a verdict of "Wilful murder" was returned.
Mr. A Blane, M.P., was on Tuesday at Dunfanaghy
sentenced to four months' imprisonment for inciting
to conspiracy and taking part in the Plan of Campaign.
The defendant gave notice of appeal, and was liberated
on bail.

A violent scene took place at Oldtown, Limerick,
on Tuesday, in connection with the dispossession of
John Hayes from the position of a caretaker of a pro-
perty on Lord Castleroe's estate. Hayes was evicted
six months ago, but was readmitted with a view to
settlement. On Tuesday Mr. Rowland, the sub-agent,
accompanied by bailiffs and a strong body of police,
under Inspector Lowndes, proceeded to put the
tenant out, in pursuance of an ejectment notice
served upon him. They found the house strongly
barricaded, the walls being loopholed on every side.
The moment the bailiffs presented themselves
stones were thrown from the apertures. In return
they bombarded the walls with similar missiles, and
for a long time a fierce cross-fire of stones was kept
up. Several attempts were made to break in the door
with a sledge hammer, Hayes stoning the bailiffs as
they worked. Inspector Lowndes then appealed to
Hayes to desist, but he declined. The inspector then
asked for an interview with the besieged man, and
the officer was permitted to enter the house by a
ladder placed to one of the windows. Hayes then
informed him that he would surrender if Canon
Scully arrived, but on the inspector's descent
the siege was recommenced, the door being
again attacked with sledge-hammers. Mr. Lowndes
again induced Hayes to allow him to enter, and
Mr. Rowland took advantage of the ladder to
attempt an entrance. When he reached the window
Hayes seized him, and in spite of Mr. Lowndes'
intervention, almost throw him to the ground. The
scene became indescribably exciting, the people
shouting encouragement to the inmates and the
bailiffs crying, "Draw your revolvers." Finally Mr.
Rowland dropped to the ground, having been severely
bitten by the defenders of the house. Immediately
after this the police forced an entrance and over-
powered the occupants of the dwelling, they being
immediately put under arrest, and the eviction
formally effected. The extent and number of the
casualties are not yet known, but it is certain that,
besides Mr. Rowland, several policemen and bailiffs
were wounded with stones, and Inspector Lowndes
was also hurt. The house was defended by Hayes,
his son, and two daughters.