The Sun.
London, England, 1848-04-06 00:00:00

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, APRIL 3.—The Freeman's Journal has a
long report on the proceedings at the police office rela-
tive to the charge of pike making, the whole of which
resolves itself into the brief statement, namely, that the
purchaser was seen to bring the weapons into the Castle.
Mr. Arkins, the prosecutor in the case, applied to the
bench for a warrant to search for concealed arms in
Dublin Castle, which the magistrate refused.
At one o'clock this day, David Hyland, blacksmith, of
16, Charles-street, appeared at this office, on his recoapi-
zance, to give evidence in the case of Thomas Kirwin,
against whom informations were taken by Mr. O'Citle
laghan, on Saturday for purchasing pike-heads for an
illcgal purpose. All the parties concerned having as-
sembled, Colonel Browne, Commissioner of Police, who
had taken his place on the bench, made the following
statement:—
Colonel Browne, Commissioner of Police, said he
v: fished to offer a few words, which he thought would set
the matter at rest. Ho wished to state, in the pre-
sence of the Bench and gentlemen assembled in the
office, that he had received intelligence that pikes were
manufactured in different parts of the city, and that
he had the names of blacksmiths who were engaged
making them, and of persons who watched the pro-
cess of manufacture. Every man must allow that) it
was only his duty to have these inquiries set on foot.
With regard to the man Kirwan, against whom in-
formations were sworn on Saturday, ho had no hesi-
tation in declaring, that he was one of the persons
so employed by him for the purpose he had mentioned.
He had been furnished with the names of persons, who,
be was informed, were manufacturing pike-heads to a
large amount; but as there was nothing in the present
state of the law to prevent such doings, he had not inter-
fered with the parties. In fact, as the law stood, any
individual might mske pikes, or have them in Lis posses-
sion—whether un'o Innately or otheroviee, was freely a
matter of opinion. But it was his (Colonel Browne 6)
duty, holding the responsible position he did, to make the
Government fully acquainted with every thing that was
passing in the city of Dublin, and he, therefore, avowed,
that he did take steps to make himself acquainted with
all the circumstances connected with the manufacture acid
sale of pike-heads in the city. In fact, he had in his pos-
session patterns of every kind of pike which had been
hitherto made, and if there was any odium to be attached
to any one for these measures, he took it all upon himself.
He avowed his conduct openly, and would further observe,
that he would continue to procure all the information in
his power relative to the manufacture of pikes, to lay it
before the Government. Every man of common sense
must know that pikes were daily being made in every
hole and corner of Dublin. He knew the different
places where these proceedings were carried on; he
made himself acquainted with all the particulars in his
power respecting them, and he felt that in thus acting,
he was only fulfilling his duty to Government.
Colonel Browne then proceeded to say, that Sergeant
Sproule would tell Mr. Curran, that _Kirwan and other
persons had been frequently with him (Colonel Browne)
in the Castle, and Mr. Curran must allow that he would
not be fit to:hold the situation of Commissioner of Police,
if he did not endeavour to put the Government in pos-
session of evertbing of that nature. The prisoner was
employed by him to procure six pikes from Hyland.
Three of those pikes were then in his possession, and the
other three were in the keeping of Mr. T. Atkins.
Mr. Arkins said he had not the pikes, but he believed
they were in the custody of Inspector Donovan.
Colonel Browne was sure that Mr. Arkins had acted
from the best of motives, and so far from blaming him,
he took all the blame and responsibility upon himself.'
lie avowed that this man was his employe, that he got
information from him, and from others besides, engaged
for a like purpose, and he, therefore, called on their
worships to dismiss the charge against the prisoner.
Mr. Arkins begged to ask Colonel Browne whether a
note-book had not been found on the prisoner's person,
containing matters calculated to implicate certain young
gentlemen, and whether he had not received from the
prisoner useful information respecting these parties? _ Colonel Browne said that the prisoner had given him
information respecting some young men who had ran
away from their fathers.
Mr. Arkins thought it was most scandalous to permit
such a dangerous character as the prisoner to go to
Charles-street for the express purpose to inveigle
igno-
rant people into the commission of an act, with the in-
tention of getting them into trouble. Mr.
Arkins,then
called on the magistrates, Messrs. Kelly
and O'Calla h
to swear Colonel Browne, with respect to the informgall'
tion from which he was led to believe that the citizen af.
Dublin were in danger on St. Patrick's day. en
o
Colonel Browne replied that the prisoner had never
given information on the subject. It was not easy to
get men to do this sort of dirty work—for dirty work it
certainly was—(Laughter)—but it was, nevertheless,
necessary to have it done, and he therefore employed
this man to get the pikes made, and to find out what the
people were saying about them.
After some further proceedings, their worships
directed that the prisoner should be discharged.
REPEAL A ssoceanoze.—The usual weekly meeting of
the Repeal Association was held this day, at Concilia-
tion Hall; Dsniel O'Connell, Esq., in the chair. The
attendance was unusually large. The rent for the week
was 871. 18s. 11d.

MORE TROOPS FOR IRELAND.
It is stated to-day that the 57th infantry are to be
detached to Beggar's Bush, the Linen-hall, and Ship-
street 13arracks, in order to make room for a regiment
of Guards under orders for Dublin. It is also stated
that the Horse Guards Blue are to be located in Dublin,
pending the breaking cut of the insurrection, which is
to occur, we are told, some time in the present month.
Application has been made to the Provost by the Go-
rernment for accommodation within the wails of the
college for a strong military detachment.
The Benehers of the Queen's Ines have also been
applied to for permission for the military stationed in
the Linen-hall to exercise in the grounds attached to
the Inns in Henrietta-street.
Leinster House is being fitted up for 300 infantry and
a strong squadron of cavalry.
The 52d Light Infantry and a battalion of the Guards
are under orders of readiness for Dublin.
The Ist Royals will be moved from Belfast to Dublin.
A wing of the 43d Light Infantry is to form part of
Dublin garrison.
A strong company of Sappers and Miners has arrived
from Chatham, and taken up quarters in the barracks at
the Linen-hall.
WICKLOW ELECTION. The writ for the election
of a knight for the county Wicklow arrived this
morning.
SLIGO ELECTION.—A third candidate for Sligo is put
forward in the person of Mr. J. Ball, eldest son of Mi.
Justice Ball. The new candidate is at present in Rome,
but his interests will be cared for by Mr. R. O'Hara; a
very able solicitor, and who is intimately acquainted
with parties in Sligo.
DUBLIN, APRIL 4.—The extraordinary avowals of
the Chief Commissioner of Police yesterday, at Henry.
street Police•oflice, relative to his intimacy with'the pike
makers, has created no little sensation. People hereto-
fore dubious of the truth of the rumours about arming
are at length convinced that there was some foundation
for the statements.
DEPARTURE OF MR. JOHN O'CONNELL.--It is ru-
moured to-day, that Mr. John O'Connell's sudden de-
parture for England, yesterday morning, was caused by
the receipt of important let:ers from London—or, as
some have it, dispatches from the Government in refer-
ence to the state of Ireland. One thing is certain, that
Mr. O'Connell was to have moved the Address to the
Queen at yesterday's meeting of the Repeal Association,
and that in place of so doing—as arranged by the com-
mittee—the Hon. Gentleman was on the high sea when
the address was proposed and carried.
ARMING IN THE SOUTH.—The Corh Examiner states,
that rifle shooting is now general in Cork. In several
outskirts of the city, on Sunday, the sport was indulged
in to a very great extent, particularly in the city Park,
and the Diamond Quarry in Blackrock. Indeed, in the
latter place there could not have been less than fifty
young men exclusive of spectators having some
twenty rifles between them bla:ing away at a mark,
upon which at least, three out of every five shots took
effect; the successful marksmen being loudly applauded
by the spectators. Nor was the practice in the Park
whit less creditable to the riflemen, several groups o
whom, admirably equipped and armed, acquitted
great d
ittedtheemx.-
selves with much eclat by reason of the very
firing in file and line, but always w
terity exhibited by them, now firingitbsinegxeleyr3.
excellent effect.
anon
rmo
de nu tu
e ina t hneu
ms ebrevri coef,
Brigade,_ cseo p
elxndeeepedting the Rifle
it is questionable if anyuirdegi
of their arms than these
men more competent in the u
four times as numerous, could
not shops, were theyd
and their importation is con-
athletic young fellows. Arms are all the rage; the gulnd-
It is a well-ascertained
aonfe acsi et
citizens s and country people for
sucoqt
useunpt
yl y
fact that the p
vtalisetlyalnoLes of the city have been ransacked
Pike-beads are also being manufac-
tured,turdsy last ware publicly
in one single lane of a
exposed for
by the lower ordersawn:m
the inhabitants are
sale
guns, pistols,
atnhde ocuo
aS6la-eq.uay.
Thestatesol
f tbe that,
county,
poor country
rte en stand of arm nPh
posses
ossesed of fou s. rage for fire;,
of any description, is universal in the country
samej otuorwnna
districts.
DISTRESS IN GALWAY.--- Mr. Maurice O'Connell
stated to-day, at a meeting of the Corporation, that ha
had it from indisputable authority that such was the
destitution in the district of Galway, that the starving
people were driven to devour their own children.
MEETING OF THE CORPORATION.—An adjourned
Quarterly Assembly of the Corporation was held this
day at the Assembly House, William-street. The Right
Hon. the Lord Mayor presided.
Mr. Maurice O'Connell, M.P., brought forward his
motion for an address to the Queen, congratulating hek
Majesty on the birth of a Princess, and praying her
Majesty to assemble her Irish Parliament in Dublin.
The latter portion of the address was opposed by the
Conservatives, but, after a long discussion, the original
motion was carried by a large majority.
EXPULSION OF IRISH WORKMEN FROM FRANCE
Several working people and refugees from France have
arrived in Dublin by the British and Irish Company's
steamer City of Limerick, from London, en route to
Belfast.

.euntic DEBT.—An account which has been pub-
dshed of the additions made to the National Debt
within the last ten years, gives the following items:—ln
1838, addition to capital 648,2641, to annual charge
19,6421.; in 1839, by four several items amounting to
5,956,292/. capital, and 180,4741. of annual charge; in
1840, addition to capital 546,6271., to annual charge
16.562 L; in 1841, addition to capital by three items
6,949,7641., to annual charge 210,5761 ; in 1842, by tve6
items, addition to capital 1,191,1761., to annual charge
36,092/ ; in 1843, also by two items, addition to capital
44M71., to annual charge 1,3551.; in 1844, addition to
capital 15,2171., to annual charge 4611.; and in 1847,
addition to capital 8,938,5471, and to annual charge
n4A On.)