The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-08-21 00:00:00

IRISH CIRCUITS.

TIPPERARY ASSIZES, CLONXEL, Arourr 14.
MURDER BY A POLICEISIAN. _

David ringd, a police constable, for the murder of Matthew
Houfilter, at Alortlcstown, last April.—lt a;.peared in evidence
that the deceased was to have rmriectsted persons at the last Spring
Assizes, for the burning of Skeahan'a house at St. Johr.stown, near
Kantor:le ; he, however, did not come forward on that occasion.
on which the men were discharged. Some time after, from the
doubtful character of Houlihan, the police of that neighbourhood
had received orders to visit his house frequently, in Order., if foited
ah.ent, to have hint prosecuted under the Insurrection Act. On
the night of the 3d of Anti! a INT. y of the police, consisting of the
hprisoner, his father, William Talbot, and another, came to Houli-
an's house, and while they were demanding a candle to be lighted,
the deceased was endeavouring to acape through the door at which
young Talbot :vas stationed ; old Talhet, who was inside, perceiv-
ing him, called to the son to stop him ; hut rs deceased had got
some distance outside the house, the prisoner (l)avid Talbot) fired,
and Immediately exclaimed, " Whoever he is, I hero there his
business." Tie prisoner received an excellent character from
gentlemen of the highest respectability.
The Lord Chief Justice Mr:site) summed tip the evidence, and
tha Jury retired Pot about half an hour, when they returned a ver-
dict of Goilty, but recommended him to mercy.
TIO 1 JUDGE rose under vety considerable emotion, and seta—
" Yon, David Talbot, have been indicted ;incite one of the hen: i..si
char:, that can affect a human being—you hire been indicted for
the wilful murder of your fellow-rriatore. Tile lientkinen of the
Jury attended minutely to the ":tire circumstances given in evi.
deuce: they are the constitutioral Judges of the truth or falsehood
of the facts. Circumstances might have heen adduced its mitiga-
tion of the crime of Murder, but these mitigating circumstance'
could not have any reasonable effect. I cannot any but that the
Jury have found a verdict conscientiously, and that they have de_ I
charged their duty. The painful task now devolves upon me--
I Here his Lordship was so overpowered, that it was some mos:noel
before he could proceed with the sentence.)—which, if left to my
own feelings, I would avoid. But the sad duty I must discharge;
it is imperative • the verdict of the Jury obliges me to it. You,
Havid Talbot, ;halt be taken from the place where you nos stand,
to the gaol from whence you came, and en Monday the lGth inst.
to the place of execution, and there be hanged by the neck until
vim arc dead, and afterwards your body be given for dissection.—
'The time is short, indeed, and I hope the previous part of your life
has been such as to warrant you to look with conGdehee to the mer-
cies of God."

One of the Jurors, on his own and the part of his fellows, begged
to tecommend the priwiater to the clemency of the Court ;--if such
could be done it would be highly gratifying to their feelings tak-
ing Into consideration the youth of the prifoner, his previous good
chmr.teter,—r.ll conspired to press an interposing clemency.
Ilia Loomis''e said he would attend to ir. and trod forth their
recommendation in a higher quarter cool., premise nothing.
Many of the police were in team, and the prisor.er was removed.
The prisoner has been allowed ten days resrite, until the opinion
of the Government has been melee&

The untOrtunale young man ( who hi about 21) was m•i:e (.01-
'w:11 Miring the trLal, nue di l bc lose his finances while rcentlng
sentence.

CA lAVAI ASSIZES.