The Express.
London, England, 1852-08-12 00:00:00

THE FATAL AFFRAY AT SIX-MILE

BRIDGE.
This protracted inquiry was resumed yesterday, and gave
symptoms of drawing near its clue, the case for the defence
having been opened and some important evidence on that
side having been produced. Mr. J. C. Delme,e, for whom
the coroner stated on the preceding day that he would issue
a warrant, was in attendance, as was also Lieut.• Colonel
Douglas, Assistant Adjutaat.General of the Limerick
distinct. Mr. Coffey, eounse: for the prosecution, called for
the attendance in court of the part of the 31st regiment
which composed the escort, and some conversation took
place on the non-attendance of the lieutenanteolonel, and
the consequent non•production of the men on a former day.
Mr. ora7don, counsel for the defence, assured the coroner
that his instructions were to give every facility to carry on
the inquiry.
The Assistant Adjutrnt-General then sent an order for
the escort to he marched from the camp to the court-house,
and they arrived in a few minutes, under arms, and in
full dress, as on the day they were MI duty. Having
been drawn up, they unfixed bayonets, and were ordered
to stand at ease._

Mr. Coff.y—Mr. Coroner I will now require you to re-
turn@ the examination or Colonel Stauntoo.

Colonel Staunton wu then produced 17 Mr. Graydon.
Mr. Coffey—Now, Colonel Staunton, will you point out a
man to me named John Dwyer, if there be such amongst
the party.
Colonel Staunton proceeded to the escort and pointed
out Dwyer; he also pointed out James Sharp and Thomas
Clarke.

•
Mr. Coffey—Point out John Whitbread.
Colonel Stannton—There is no such:man in the escort.
Mr. Coffey —ls there any man of the name of Whit-
read ?

Colonel Staunton—Then is, William Whitbread. The
fact is, I would point them all out but I am in the hand, of
counsel, and it would be paying the gentleman a very bad
compliment did I not act under bia advice. There has been
nothing done that we are ashamed of, or that was not the
duty of soldiers or men.
Mr. Coffey—You were not there, Colonel, and you cannot
say. Even in the field of battle generals may differ as to the
mode of attack or defence.

Colonel Staunton—No doubt, sir.
Mr. Coffey—Colonel, will you be pleased to point out the
other men named by Mr. Cronin as having fired ?
(The colonel then pointed out Corporal Carter, John
(Beeson (first), James Postings, Wm. Barnes, IsaacWsston,
and John Thompson.
Colonel Staunton, in continuation—l cannot my bow
many of these men belong to Captain Eager's company. In
Limerick I examined the muskets of these men ; I did not
examine the pouches. I eternised their guns and accoutre-
ments. Each gun is branded and each man has a parti-
cular number on his musket. I did not observe or examine
Hooch man had his own musket. I did not examine who
had fired; it was quite immaterial to me whether it
was " Tim °luau,' or " John Jones," or " Paddy
O'Reilly," that fired. It was an unpleasant duty, which
must have fallen to some one to do. I was of that opinion
at the time, and an still. lem only able to state by hear-
say the number of men who fired on that day.
Mr. Coffey.—Are you aware from official sources ?
Colonel Staunton.—Well, I think—
Mr. Oraydon.—l object t• your answering that question ;
any report made officially is a privileged communication,
and cannot he pressed tor.
(Here Colonel Staunton spoke in private to Col. Douglas
and Col. Saslow, who sat behind him.)
The Coroner's attention being diluted to the matter, ho
said, Colonel you must remember you are a witness.
Mr. D. J. Wilsos.—l beg to my, Mr. Coroner, that I was
put upon that table, when under examination, and every
other witarsrehould be similarly treated.
Colonel Staunton then acceded the witness chair, and
his examination was resumed—l did not consider it my
duty as colonel of the 31st Regiment, to examine the men's
muskets. To ascertain the number of any man that fired
on that day. I idly aseertained.the number by general re-
port. I had no official report on the subject. The official
report went through a higher channel. I paraded the men
by order of General Firming. lam under the impression
that the officer in preemie of the men said they had fired
without orders.

Mr. Orapies—l am ham Colonel Staunton, on behalf of
the men oldie • sad it is my duty to see that you
do not give illegal avidness. It is no mutter what was
stated, unless stated In menses of all the men of the party.
Colonel Staunton—The nes were paraded for the pur-
pose of inspacting and reporting on the extent of the injury
they received. I heard of this occnrrence long befnre the
men returned. I did not knew, as • fact, that the man
had fired without orders, but I heard it.
Mr. Coffey—Did you believe it ?
Mr. Orayden—l object to his answering that question ;
bat I wish it M be understood that Colonel Staunton does
not refuse to answer the question. It is my objection.
Colonel Staunton—l don't recollect examining the mus-
kets for the purpose of ascertaining the men of the party
who had fired. _ _

Mr. Coffey—Did you in any Eons, by any nIOILUI, or under
anyharg circumstances, ascertain that any muskets had beendis-
ced ?
Colonel Stalinism said he did not recollect
Mr. Coffey—Did you speak to the men nue this ?
Colonel Staantoo—l did ; and I am of.the one opinion,
that under the eireamstaame they only discharged their

duty.
Tease for the tioa here closed, sad it was &t-
-riaged that there SLoald be no ipeeehee by enema at either
aide.

TEI DLPINCI.
Mr. Hoary Keane sworn, sad examined by Mr. Gray-
don—d I reside at Beachpark,
in
this meaty. s I am con-
necte with the Marva et Cmbals'y.
through my brother. MOM henna.. la propertsh yes espial
as • partner sissy Sneaks. I IN hosimen Ihr bin. I
visited at Mr. Oeggieb.M Danemail, ea the Met July.
I want awe, esmetpidel bp a wont. I know the
hoes* et a even named Chiba. M Mink. There were
Octant Yawl is tin inanonet the Illaripie of Cousteau',
la Osillas'a bee" en the WPM ef the list July.. Ag=
of fern men manic emu, mute up to Ciegpa's
ott them inim 22nd. They aaw me, sad asked en
if than were forribeldne in the house. I told theta to And
I out. They add theriwasid tear down the house and get
them out. I said abash LS get rid of me. They
said they would tear Ike kin Mr. On& did not
let out the voters. Mr. Geskin NON down, sad they asked
him far his vete. He raid bibui_gromised it to Mr. Kew
and would vote far Wind Venally. They got late thi
Doom by the began. I wint eat to the gam, end saw a
boy at the top ot the Mil triable hat epee a .Wk,
_aod he
boohooed the party, ca et whom stied mit, "We lave
got them, boys." They dna ma off to Collins's hewn sad
I followed them. I RAW thus salk• ens et the velem ia
the fees, sad amass ea the aboolder. Say et as kew
holden were wash sad sieldy. They maned esenilies
with the dam, end ware threaryints am it they
voted he Oohed Vandelear. Two et them mem " by
Oal et Heaven balm amen elan I es they would
be dead. ANlAber raid, " Comm bele, pet the devil's gate
Inlaw emoshill." They task lair emit eff, sad began to
me Mimes with some of Me hseheldsee,ffbedneas mad m-
other mem I in,. the eameset tn. Me Ina al the Miele
beebsidess. Melt ism is theft erne, ma leek thus Mae
ears. They did the same to ethers. Is.. of them ma
to am, sad said to have an eye to the., that ay mesh
send no ward wherever they would he. I alma Jenne
Frost, a big man, was cute of those was ash VA They elm
said it was likely they would be hakes up the asestalla
road, and to have the military to asetthem meths bidden
I met venal messengers to WMOil the., with dirailisns in
bring am word every half hour. I went hewn le Gernin's
Maus in an hour and a half Am Ime is military on
Bianeati's ow. Mr. Delmege was with am, and two
elem. In consequence of a conversance I had with Mr.
Delmer I turned back one of Bianconi's eon and • portion
of the military. I met some cars at the right-heed of the
reed, near Thenoadgam. On arriving at the T ca-
boose the windows were thrown up, and the fr eheldsre t
out thehr t
beeds mid wad, " fag to par amen
wouldn' Wive Y." 1 linwCpssole la Ihe maid my, "Got
Paddy, sad tell the boys that Keens, the deoll. is, eine it his
men"--(laughter); tamed to Yr. Dellesae them, sad
told him there were three err wagers goy for a Ewa sod
that unless he was alive about his bushiest there wenid be
blood spilt, and lives loot, as their party was too well he •
Limerick mob ; the captain ordered the door to he
e
at once, and it was after some blows from the butts oia
mus-
kets I ran up stairs, slapped them on the heck, and told
them not to lose their courage ; they said they were sur-
prised I was so long away; they ran down stairs, and Mr.
Delmer met them at the door ; he asked them whether
they limbed his protection, and that of tho military in es-
corting them to the bridge, and they replied," Yes, your
honour, we could think of going without you, our
lives would be in danger, or we would be murdered."
Mr. Coffey—lt might be well to inform this gectlentan
that if he was with the party who fired he ought to be cau-
tious of what he states.

lir:MeaWe-1;;;;Uite satisfied to abide by whatever I
say. There was no not or disturbance at Thomond.gate;
and when the Totem got upon the can we drove on until
we met the other car with the soldiers. On the road half-
way from Limerick we met a gentleman in a gig, who
groaned as, and said, "Look at the convicts." lie passed
us out. We were paused by a second car with two in it,
and they made use of a similar obsertation, with the addi-
tion that se would catch it going into the bridge. We
were met by a third car near the bridge, and the persons In
it told us the bridge of the town would be ripped up, and
that we never would get into the place with our lives.
There were four covered ears and an outside ear in eur pro-
cession. I was only once in the bridge before that day. We
took the left hand side of the road. Saw the Mee. Mr.

Bourke war the bridge that day. I didn't know his name at
the time. I saw him la the Court. ho use afterwards. 1 beard
the people as we passed call out the vows by name, four or
five eddies, that when they would not have the soldiers to
hrotect them they'd murder them. Heard the voices of
undreds sty out " Here is Keane, the devil's man,"
"Keane, the anthers' man." There were hundreds of
Owasso& there. Another man's name was mentioned far
murder when this soldiers would not be present, and the
Rev. Mr. Bourke raised a short whip in his hand and said,
"Be quiet, boys, be quiet." I subsequently beard the Rev.
Mr. Bourke say, "Rescue Keane 's men, rescue Keane 's
men." I was then within three feet of Mr. Bourke, at tee
side of the chapel. Upon Mr. Bourke saying so, some cried
out, "The boys are gone round," There were a few stones
pelted front of the ear. I turned round and looked Mr.
Bourke in the face, and stamped my right foot. lie didn't
know me. I think if he did the work would commence
sooner. The reason I think so, there was such crying out
for " Keane the devil," Ana " Keane the souper." 'there
were no stones of • serious nature thrown up to this time.
Opposite to the chapel two men came to the cars to pull
out the freeholders, and Ipushed them off. The people
I rushed at me, and • soldier came to my protection.
the soldier appeared annoyed, and swore he would stick the
first that broke in upon his line. The Rev. Mr. Bourke
caught hold of the soldier by the neck, and be said some-
thing about striking him and the men that were with him.
I also saw him catch another soldier either by the gun or
arm. I ran round to the captain of the company, and told
him that one of his men had ores grossly 'wailed, and that
unless he did something, there would be bad work, as it
was commencing in the rear. He did not look at me, hut
replied be had enough to do where he was, and to go hack
and tell the other officer. When I reached the place I left,
than was no trace of the soldier I have alluded to. The
Bev. Mr. Bourke was there, and I heard him say either
"Stand to your religion, boys," or " Fight for your reli-
gion," but can't 'ay which. There was a roar at the time
from hundreds of voices, and men jumped up, whirling
sticks in their hands, and crying uut, " Fight for your reli-
gion." Before that I saw Mr. Bourke go to three or four of
he cars, and heard him ask were they going to vote against
their religion. When we got within • perch of the Chapel-
lane, there was • rush at the ears, and several persons
jumped over the wall into the barley-field. There were
four or five attempts made by parties to drag the freehold-
ers off the cars, and I tried to jostle them with my shoul-
ders. The military assisted me twice. They did not let
the men that I put back come inside their lineage. The
first place the military assisted me was when Mr. Bourke
had the soldier by the neck. The second occasion was near
the dung-heap at the corner of the lane, where several
pelts(' at the soldier who assisted me. There was a woman
there. The soldier was hit upon the neck or thereabouts,
and fell forwards towards the wall of the field where the
stone came from. I made a run for the stone which struck
lam. It was five inches long, tour wide, and two thick. I
scald see well all that was passing in front. While I was run-
for the stone that struck the soldier I saw two men run
at the ear I left and pull • man half way out. I gave one
of the men • boa os a push, and knocked him against the
wall at the other aide. There were then three or four stones
pelted at me ; two of them hit the leaf of my hat, and
raised it • little off my head. I didn't see who pelted these
stones, hut they came from behind. Two stones were
thrown into one of the can, and I heard them strike the
back where the driver sits. 1 took the number of the car.
Stone throwing was very brisk by the people from the sides
pelting towards the front. A few seconds after the three
stones were pelted at me I heard a shot. 1 kept my ground
behind the cars. The accession moved on slowly• it wu
several times checked in progress. When the stones were
Strewn at me there was • cheek of some seconds. I saw •
lewd of six or seven in • small space in the barley-field pelt-
lag. The wall was well lined over them. The people in the
barley field were pelting. There was a row of people on the
Tall, with brake between them. I think the s:ones were
Strewn with violence. One stone hit one of their own men and
hawked him down, or rather stumbled him. Another was
broken against the wall. After going forward seven or
eight yards (after the first shot was tired), I heard five or
eta more fired. I saw three men fall. I saw their party
pelting ,before ;they were shot, that is, I saw seven or
eight men pelting, and of these three fell. My voters
were running away and I followed them, put my hands
around them, and brought them back. I pushed them
on in the direction of where the other soldiers were. and
who had theiz guns pointed up. I did not know I wan le
near the court-house at the time. I saw a tektite=
apparently dead on th• road. I saw three men go
towards the soldiers one after the other—the first carded
something in his hands, and I saw him go over to the
soldier, and with both his hands strike him, es 1 thought,
a desperate blow upon the head. I law a second man
slut strike the soldier about the neck. He put
his hand down as low as the soldier's neck. I saw two
soldiers run up to the man who was in the act of beating
their comrade, and one of them stabbed him with a bayo-
net. The man that first struck the soldier was in the set
of running away. He first tamed to the right of the court-
house, and then up the road to the left. The soldier made
• thrust of the bayonet at him. The soldier who was lying
down could not have been knocked down at the time the
first shot was fired, for I passed the place three or four
times without seeing him. I don't think there was any shot
fired after the bayonet charge. I know the lives of the
party were in imminent danger when the first shot was
find. I considered it so from the stone throwing.
Being six o'clock, the court adjourned till next day.