The Sun.
London, England, 1846-03-25 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, MARCH 23.—The usual weekly meeting of the
Repeal Association was held this day at the Conciliation
Hall; Alderman Rooney in the chair. The only feature of
interest was the production of a letter from Mr. O'Connell,
which was ordered to be placed on the minutes.
The rent for the week amounted to 1791. 9a.
LORD LINCOLN.
Lora Lincoln, the Secretary for Ireland, arrived yesterday
morning, from London. His Lordship is, for the present,
occupying apartments at Elvidge's Hotel, in Kildare-street.
CARRICKFERGUS ASSIZES.

A PRIEST'S CURSE.-CHARLES IWLAUGHLIN V. THE REV.
LUKE WALSH, P.P.
This case was tried at the Carrickfergus assizes on Friday,
and excited a great deal of interest. The plaintiff is a miller,
of the Roman Catholic persuasion, but being a very intelli-
gent and excellent man he was in the habit- of reading an
Irish Bible to his poor neighbours who only spoke that lan-
guage. The priest of the parish—Father Luke Walsh—con-
ceived that this conduct deserved the severest punishment
the Church of Rome can inflict, and accordingly, after calling
on the plaintiff to desist from his " evil practices" without
effect, he excommunicated him by " bell, book, and candle."
The immediate consequences were that the poor man was
insulted and abused by all whom he came in contact ; others
avoided him on the highway as if he were a demon ; and all
the Catholics who dealt at his mill left it.
Several witnesses were examined, who proved the "curs-
ing,"—the insults M'Laughlin received after it— and the de-
struction of his business.
The evidence of Charles Collins gave a succinct account of
the " ceremony :"
Charles Collins, examined by Mr. MB, Q.C.—Lives in
the parish of Culteigtrin. Is a Protestant. Remembers go-
ing to the chapel on the 18th of August, 1844. The congre-
gation was assembled. Saw defendant there. Did not see
any other priest with him. After the mass had been cele-
brated he heard defendant say that there were different ways
of excommunication. He took a letter out of his pocket,
which he said he got from the bishop, and said he had let
things go on longer than he had authority to do, hoping that
the delinquents would come forward and make satisfaction;
but he would suffer them no longer. Ha said he would ex-
communicate plaintiff, Charles Sheals, M'Kay, and Michael
Butler. Some persons entreated him not to excommunicate
Butler until next Sabbath-day; hemmed the others, and said,
" I give my curse, and God's curse, on all who salute them
on the road, or eats at the same table, or works in the same
field with them." Defendant then turned and blew out the
candles, rung a bell, and closed a book which was lying
open on the altar. The congregation shortly afterwards
broke up. Was taken to the chapel by a neighbour to see
the ceremony.
Another witness deposed that he saw the defendant take a
large book and read to the pele what they were to do after
they (the plaintiff and others were excommunicated; said
they were to hold no communication with Charles M‘Laughlin,
Hugh Sheals, Charles M'Kay, John Donaghan, and John
M•lntosh; they were not to speak to them, nor eat at the
sarne.table, and if they came into the chapel while he was
celebrating mass, he would have to stop till they.went out;
he then took the bell in his hand, and said, "The curse of
God and of Jesus Christ be upon those men, and any person
who would have anything to do with them ;" he then ex-
tinguished the candles; there was a candle on each side of
been so friendly to them
e foLh et
hpeeop Ipeople
excommunication.hae not
Mr. NELSON, Q.C. in a speech for the defence, maintained
sthineceal as altar. the
that the defendant had' a right,to excommunicate the plain-
tiff for contumacious conduct—he being a Roman Catholic,
and that he had the authority of the bishop for that
proceeding.
Verdict—Damages 70/., and 6d. costs.