The Sun.
London, England, 1839-08-01 00:00:00

AFFRAY IN CARLOW.

(From the Carlow Sentinel.)
On Thursday last, the .25th instan cnief constaf.;
Cox, of Borris, accompanied by Chal:l.Z73 H. Tuckey,
Lige proceeded to the rail' of St. Mullins, in
thts county, to protect the pdblic peace, that district
having lately been much disturbed, owing to the ex-
istence of local feuds, and the hostility of rival factions.
On their arival on the around the constabulary took up
4 position on an elevated mound at the southern extre-
of the fair green, from which they could command a
view of the whole field. Great crowds were assembled
from the county of Wexford, and from the " Roar," in
the county of Kilkenny, and it was observed that great
excitement prevailed from an early hour, occasioned,
it was stwposed, by the revenue police having seized
and carried off 80 gallons of unpermitted spirits from
the tent-keepers. The people remained tolerably quiet
until about five o'clock, when a large mob, armed with
stones and bludgeons, assembled in the centre of the
fair green, and marched to where the constabulary were
stationed, and commenced without the slightest provo-
cuticle an attack on the Msagistrates and police with
stones. Their chief con table charged down the
hill and arrested three of the ringleaders, namely—
James and Patt Morrissey, and Moses Curran, a noto-
rious offender, for whose apprehension large rewards
were offered by the Government. He returned with
his prisoners to his former position, and again bore
with unexampled forbearance the pelting of the mob,
who were excited by the prisoners taking off their hats
and shouting " to rescue them if they were not cowards."
During an hour the constabulary were exposed to the
discharges of stones and missiles, which they bore with
'the greatest coolness and fortitude, although some of
them were severely hurt, and the Magistrates and the
officer repeatedly struck with stones. At six o'clock,
leaving a party of his men with Mr. Tuckey, and head'
constable Sullivan, in charge of the prisoners, Mr. Cox,
C.C., proceeded with the remainder to order the publi-
cans to strike their tents. The mob, anticipating this
movement, immediately surrounded Mr. Cox and his
party and commenced an indiscriminate attack on the men
with large paving-stones, procured from a gravel pit ad-
joining the scene of action. They then raised the cry
of " Carrickshock for ever," and closed on the party, se-
veral of whom had fallen, particularly constable Craig,
who bled profusely, having received a blow of a stone
about six pound weight on the head ; and constable
Connor, who fell at the side of his officer. Perceiving
that the object was to massacre the party, the front rank
fired and brought down a few of the rioters ; this caused
the mob to reel, but they renewed the attack, when the
rear rank gave them a second volley, wounding several
of the rioters, who shortly after dispersed, and the po-
lice effected their retreat in good order to their former
position. Several of the mob were severely wounded—
some it is believed mortally—but their number cannot
be ascertained, as their friends bore them off
the field without delay. Two men, named Byrne
and Fitzpatrick, who were identified as leaders,
were badly wounded, and a woman had her
arm broken. Thus terminated a struggle on
the part of the police in defence of their lives—and
on that of the mob, one in which they sought to immo-
late the constabulary as they did at Carrickshock. At
eight o'clock the party left the fair, and safely depo-
sited their prisoners in Borris, and on this day they
were committed to prison by Mr. Tuckey. We hope
this may induce the multitude to abstain from future
attacks on the constabulary.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.—Since the above was
written, we learn that two of the rioters have died of
their wounds, and that seven others, supposed to be
mortally wounded, are in such a condition as to pre-
clude all hope of recovery. The whole district is in a
state of feverish excitement, and the most serious ap-
prehensions are entertained that the police stations,
situate in isolated parts of the country, will be attacked
by the peasantry. We hope, however, that these ap-
prehortsions are not well grounded.