The Express.
London, England, 1867-10-15 00:00:00

THE FENIAN PRISONERS AT MANCHESTER.

MANCHESTER, Oct. 14.

This morning the new batch of prisoners cap-
tured for participation in the Fenian outrage on the 18th
September, when police-sergeant Brett was shot, and two
prisoners were rescued from the prison van in Hyde road,
were brought before Mr. Fowler, Mr. J. W. Maniere, and
other magistrates, at the City Police Court, on remand.
Their names aro Daniel Ileddon, Francis Nacnamars,
William Joseph Brophy, and James ('Brennan Chambers,
The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Talbot, assistant
town clerk, in the absence of Mr. W. H. Higgint counsel
for the prosecution. Mr. W. P. Roberts defended the
prisoners.
Mr. Fowler asked if the prosecutioc intended to offer
evidence against Macnamara.
Mr. Talbot said they did not.
Mr. Fowler directed that he should be discharged.
Henry William Slack, a witness who bad given evidence
against the prisoners already committed for trial, said—
! have given evidence before in this case. In addition to
the persons I before identified, I can speak to the prisoner
Basildon. I saw him in the Hyde-road at the attack
on the van just in front of the railway arch. He appeared
to be giving orders, waving his hands to the men en-
gaged in the attack. I took him to be • soldier.
I saw him there a quarter of an hour to twenty minutes,
and he appeared to be taking an active part, but I wee not
near enough to hear any of his words.
' By Mr. Roberts—l followed the prison van on an omni-
bus. I was not driving, but sat on the off side of the
driver. When the prison van was stopped it was 20 to
30 yards in front of us. The prisoner was not in front, but
at the aide of the van, when it stopped. The men with
arms would not let us go further ; they stopped us by
pointing pistols at us. I got down, but left the driver on
the box. The prisoner had not the blue coat on he has
now, but he wore • grey tweed coat. I identified the pri-
soner at the Albert-street station. I was taken there by a
policeman. I saw no other witnesses at the station.
John Knowles, grocer, Hyde-road, said—l have given
evidence before, and have already identified prisoners who
took part in the attack on the van. I also sawthe prisoner
Haddon there, but there was some& confusion that I did
not see him do anything in particular that I can speak to.
I had enough to do to mind myself for a few minutes.
I saw Redden amongst the men round the van.
By Mr. Roberts—l am not the man who said hie fingers
itched for a revolver, but I fired at a man from the wall.
I was not a casual observer ; it was too close and danger-
ous work for casual observers.
Kate Riley sworn—l have been examined before. In
addition to the prisoners I have before spoken to, Ido
not see any one that I can identify as present on that
occasion.

Hy Mr. Roberts—l have not seen the prisoners before.
I was warned on Saturday. by a policeman to be at Albert.
street station this morning, and I did not arrive in time.
Charles Thomu sworn-1 have been examined before.
I see a prisoner in the dock that I did not identify on my
former examination. It is the prisoner Reddon. He was
throwing stones and taking part in the affray. He threw
at the police and people to keep them back. I saw him
about the railway arch for two or three hours before the
attack on the van. He was loitering about with others.
Stoma Halliday sworn—l have been examined before. I
do not see any one here that was in the attack on the van.
Correcting herself suddenly, the witness added " Oh,
yes, I saw that prisoner (Reddon) there. He was throwing
stones."

Thomas Perry sworn—l have given evidence before, and
I now identify Redden. I saw him running across the
Midland Railway yard with others after the attack was
over, towards Ashton•road. Some one with him told me
there had been a prise-fight, and seeing they wanted to
cross the wall, I told them they would get over easier by
going further down.
By Mr. Roberts—l noticed the boots he wore. They
had red tope.
The prisoner's boots were ordered to be taken off, and
being shown to witness he said—Those are the boots, or
if not, are exactly like those he wore at the time. I am
certain he is the man. He came close to me.

George Pickup sworn—l have given evidence in this
cue before. I see among the prisoners the prisoner Cham-
bers, whom I now identify ea taking part in the attack on
the van. I saw him throwing stones and keeping people
back.

By Mr. Roberta—He was behind the van and throwing
stones through the arch.
William Trueman, policeman (a former witness), said—
I identify the prisoner Chambers as taking part in the
attack on the prison van. He was on the embankment
beyond the arch throwing stones at the police when I first
saw him. I was his by a stone and saw him throw it.
The stone was as big as my two fists. It hit me on the
back and nearly knocked me down. I also saw him ham-
mering at the van door with big stones. I saw him first
since the attack last Friday night in a beerhouse at Liver-
pool, and I then recognised the man. I went out and
spoke to some detectives, and he was taken into custody.
By Mr. Fowler—l am the man who took Brett to the in-
firmary. I did not see him when be died.
Mr. Fowler said it would be desirable to have the
surgeon present from the infirmary who saw Brett die,
and a messenger was despatched for him.
Medwin Sherriff, who had not previously given evidence,
said—l am a carver and mason, living at Gorton. On the
18th September last I had finished my work, and was going
home at 4 o'clock. At the railway arch I was stopped by
some men who were armed with revolvers, and who would
not let me go through the arch. I saw the prisoner
Chambers there. He was throwing stones at me and a
policeman close to my side. He hit the constable in the
back. It was the last witness, Trneman. I also saw him
striking the van with stones.
Ellen Cooper, a former witness, being asked if she could
identify any of the prisoners, said, " Yes,that middle man,
with beard and moustache (William Brophy). He was
throwing stones at the police to keep them back."
By Mr. Roberts—l was in the prison van, and all I saw
of the prisoner Brophy was when I came out.
John Beck (a witness before) said he could identify
Brophy. I saw him banding stones up to a man on the
van. They were large stones. The man he handed them
to was Larkin. I also saw the prisoner throwing stones at
the civilians and policemen.
Police-sergeant Ton said be took Brophy and Chambers
into custody at a beerhouse in Haddingtemstreet, Liver-
pool, on Friday night last.
Mr. Woodcock house-surgeon at the infirmary, having
been sworn, had his previous examination read over in
presence of prisoners, proving the death of Sergeant
Brett from a pistol shot wound.
Mr. Talbot—That is the case.

Mr. Roberta said before he called any witnesses for the
defence—for he was prepared to prove an alibi for Redden—
he wished to apply for en adjournment of the ease till
Thursday, to give time to obtain witnesses from LiverpooL
He was bound to assume that the witnesses had spoken
what they believed to be the truth, but such persons ware
liable to be mistaken in the identity of men whom they
could have had but a brief opportunity of seeing at the
attack, and amidst great confusion. He wished to have
a remand to get witnesses for Brophy and Chambers from
Liverpool.
Brophy—l was working all day.
Mr. Fowler—Where!
Brophy—ln Liverpool, at Mr. Wm. Blainee and Sons.
Chambers said he was not in work, but he could prove
he was in Liverpool the whole of the day.
Mr. Fowler said be would adjourn the defence for
Brophy and Chambers, but Mr. Roberta had better pro-
duce his witnesses for Reddon.

Diary M'Keone said she remembered the 18th of Sep-
tember, and bearing of the attack on the van. The pri-
soner Reddon was lodging with her in Newton-street. He
was only out from half•paet three that day till not quite 10
minutes past four. He then went to hod, having been
drinking. He got up again at half-past 141 C and went out
with two other lodgers.
By Mr. Talbot—The prisoner lodged with me six or
seven weeks ; the other two lodgers were Keely, a painter,
and his brother James.

Hannah Maria Wright, a lodger with last with witness,
said she remembered the day of the attack on the prison
van. The prisoner Iteddon was in and out of the house
that day till half•past three, and then he was away till ten
minutes past four.
By Mr. Torr—Her husband is a plasterer, and works for
Mr. Simmons of Victoria-park.
Esther Williams said she was at Mrs. WlCeone's house
on the day of the attack, and saw the prisoner Iteddon in
the house all day. He was intoxicated. lie went to bed
about half-past four. Witness was making a dress for Mrs.
M'Keone, who is her sistrr.
By Mr. Fowler—Heard of the attack on the van that
day at half-put 6.
By Mr. Talbot—The prisoner lodge! at my sister's till a
week after the 16th, and has since been at Liverpool.
L.twrence Mulloy, tailor, said he lives in Willoughby's-
court. He knows Heddon, and saw him at his lodgings.
Saw him at 2 o'clock going out of the house, and saw him
going into the house at five minutes put 4.
John Shannon said he remembered the outrage, and on
that day ho saw iteddon in Anooats.lane. It was as
near 4 o'clock as he could judge. He passed him in the
street.

These being all the witnesses for the defence,
Mr. Fowler said, with reference to evidence for the
defence of the other prisoners, it would be very inoon-
venient, but he must grant Mr. Roberts's application ; and
he accordingly remanded the prisoners till M ednesday.