The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-03-17 00:00:00

MEATH ASSIZES, MONDAI, MAkCH 7.

Joh t Byrne, Michael Gallagher, John Courtin, John Brien,
and JON Corr were icdicteel fur an affray and riot, and fur having
assaulted Richard Langtry and others of the police when in
the execution of their duty, and for having forcibly taken from
them a bayonet. There was also an indictment for a common
assault.
Messes. TICKELL and MART LEY conducted the prosecution.
Counsel for the prisoners (who were defended at the expense of
the Catholic Association)—Messrs. D'A Re Y and C e IXF.
Agent—Mr. Furde.
Mr. Tic:Lein ruse and said, that in order to enable the Court
and Jury the more readily to apply the evidence for the prosecu-
tion in this case, he was induced to state the circumstances under
which the prisoners stood charged with an offence of an exceedingly
aggravated nature, and which hail unfortunately and very indis-
creetly been the subject of considerable public discussion. On the
occasion which gave rise to the commission of the crime with which
the prisoners were charged, unhappily a life was lost—and, after •
Coroner's Inquest that continued for four days, during which a
meat patient investigation was bad, the police were gibbeted pub-
licly, as being no less criminal than the murderers of an inoffensive
and defenceless man—the public press teemed with inflated state.
ments relative to the murder, which it was said had been committed
by the police of the country ; and after an active. zealous, and intel-
ligent agent had been sent down to the country to investigate the
affair—and after his collecting all the evidence touching the matter
which it was possible to procure, it could not but be gratifying to
the Jury to learn, that the Grand Jury, after having all that evi-
dence before them, had ignored the Bills ogainat the police of their'
county, and the result was that the five prnoners at the bar stood
indicted fur an assault upon the police, and for furcibly taking their
bayonets from them.
After a number of witnesses had been examined,
Lord Noanu said—l wish to relieve the county and the,
parties from the irritating results that may follow this trial ; and I I
think the traversers may be let down softly, and it will tend to pro-
mote the peace and harmony of the count v.
Mr. D'Asc le—My Lord, we should be mast anxious to act upon
your Lordship's suggestion, by any consistent mode that might
conduce to the tranquillity of county and the restoration of good
feeling between the people and the police.
Lord NO11131: BY —rou arc a very honest, excellent country
gentleman, Mr. D'Arcy ; I know it well; and the people are
honest quiet countrymen; therefore I ant desirous they should be
tranquil and happy—that the exercise of good-nature should be re-
sumed, and that some Recording Angel should blot this case for
ever out of the recollection of tht county. Let the business go no
further, and sum. nominal punishment may be adjudged and the
matter set at rest.
Mr. T/C kELL—IIIy Lord, the desire of the prosecutors is not
punishment ; but if the case was not brought forward it would
have been said, that the police stifled the inquiry : but after what
has fallen from your Lordship, we most readily acquiesce in the hu.
mane suggestion, and therefore let the verdict of guilty be recorded,
and the prisoners be ffied sixpeoce each and discharged.
Mr. D'Arcy—Really, my Lord, that is not a mode to effect what
your Lordship desires—the oblivion of this matter; for after the
prisoners enduring • month's imprisonment, arc they to be dis.
charged sow, with a stigma of being guilty of what, if we enter
upou the defense, we shall satisfactorily prove they are innocent ?
Lord Nouse; a I—Aye, the poor people are the best hearted and
most generous in the world, and they have the feelings of men.—
Come, Gende.iten, I'll tell you what, they shall make an apology
to the county.
Mr. Cat:sat—My Lord, as your Lordship has called upon the
Gentlemen concerned, I beg to submit to your Lordship that the
traverser, are entitled to an acquittal; no riot has been proved, but
L think as aim, has—
Lord No Mtn RY r. Cruise—

Mr. Citirisc —My Lord, I hope you'll not stop me until I state,
in compliance with your Lordship's invitation, whit I conceive
should be done---
__

Lord Non HU Y—Mr. Cruise, I'm sure there is no one more en-
titled to be heard, or deserving of more attention in this Court, or
any other place, than you are; so proceed.
Ale. Cattisg—Then, it strikes me. my Lord, that there is no-
thing proved but an ofray ; at the time the police interfered with
violence there was no riot ; therefore they have not proved their
case; and I cannot understand the policy that contends here for a
triumph, and yet disclaims the wish for punishment; besides, my
Lord, let it be recollected that a life was lost on the side of the
country pe9ple. I contend, my Lord, they are entitled to an as
Lord None n they make an apology it will do, and they'll
go home to their families to-night—the good feeling of the county
will be restored—Lord Wellesley loves you all. and you'll promote
ills wishes.
Toe Prisoners—Long life to your Lordship.
Mere some desultory conversation arose between the Counsel on
hoi:i sides; and Mr. tickell stated to the Court, that Mr. Forde,
the prisoners' agent, was advising them not to accept the terms of-
fend :hew.
Mr. FORDS. standing in a very prominent situation at the font
of the table—My Lord, all that Mr. Forde has done is this—l
asked try clients were,they willing to have a verdict of guilty re.
eordeti against vistas I—they told me they were not; and when the
last proposition, that they should beg pardon, was-proposed', as T
know their case I advised them, as my duty required of me, that
that 0.-ey should not accede to any terms implying their guilt.
LOrd Nonnuer —Well, Mr. Forde, let every one praise the
forde a+ he finds it. ((lreat laughter.)
Mr. IrAac v wonted to quash the indictment.
Counsel for the pursemtion protested against that arrangement.
bond NORlenT—Let the case go to the Jury, and whatever
verd:pt they Mud, ,discharge the prisoners immediately..
After sonsefurther dish:radon.
Mr. Tleatt.t. (for the prosecution) stated that there was no
suer pion of his Lordship that tended to the benefit of the counts
that Counsel could riot very glidly accede to, and therefore they
ennse: ,sud to the indictment being quashed, and that the prisoners
should be bound over to the peace.
Mr. D'Ancy.—My Lord, it is in your Lordship's power to
'order the primmer's to be hound to the peace under any eircum.
staslees, and therefore we can have ro objection.
The prisoners were then bound to the peace for three years, and
discharged.
laird Noanua v.—Well, Gentlemen, were you ever so happy
in your lives P
Lord Clifton sat oil the Berch daring the trial.

The Hon. Menlr has even a donation of tit
guineas to the Dundee Watt

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