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

IRELAND.

DUBLIN, APRIL 3.—The Freeman's Jou; hal has
long report on the proceedings at the police-office rela•
tise to the charge of pike making, the whole of which.
resolves itself into the brief suit, went, namely, that the
purchaser was seen to bring the weapousiuto the Castle.
Mr. Arkins, the prosecutor in tine 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 H) land, blacksmith, of
16, Charles-street, appeared at this office, on his recogtri•
zance, to give evidence in the else of Tbounas-Kirwatils
against whom informations were taken by Mr. O'Cils.
laghan, on Saturday for purchasing pike-heads for ara
iliegal purpose. All the pdrties concerned having as.,
sembled, Colonel Browne, Commissioner of Police, who
had taken his place on the bench, made the followinig
statement:—

Colonel Browne, Commissioner 'of Police, said his
wished to etfer a few words, which he thought would set
the matter at rest. Ile wished &o 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
vas only his duty to have. these inquiries set on foot.
With regard to the ma❑ Kirwan, against whom ia•
formations were sworn on Saturday, he had no hesi-
tattoo in declafing, that he was one of the persons
so employed by him for the purpose he had mentioned
He bid been lurnistied villa the names of persons, wb%
lie was info cued, ere manufacturing pike-beads to la
large amount; but as there we 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 make pikes, or have them in his posses..
sien- whether unfo:tunately or otherwise, was freely •
matter of opinion. But it v.as his (Colonel Browne's)
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 and
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 attache&
to any one for these measures, he took it all upon himself
lie avowed his conduct openly, and would further observe,
that he would continue to procure all the information is
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. lie 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 everthing of that nature. The prisoner was
employed by him to procure six pikes from ifyiand.
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 be t;elieTed
they were in the custody of Inspector Donovan.
Colonel Browne was sure that Mr. Arkins bad acted
from the best of motives, and so far from blaming him,
he took all the blame and responsibility upon himself.
He 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 Culunel Browne whether •
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 hint
information respecting some young men who bad run
away from their fathers.
Mr. Arkins thought it was most scandalous to permit
such a dangerous character as the prisoner to go to
Oharles-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
tt
ifrwhichCo on Colonel
he Browne,wasl e
d w
called unthemagistrates, Messrs. Kelly and O'Callaghan,
o o
n swearom
ireevsep et
hc
at
tt ot
ht
toibt eheciitnatoenrms oaf -
Dublin were in danger on St. Patrick's day.
Colonel Browne replied that the prisoner bad 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 ASSOCIATION.—The usual weekly meeting of
the Repeal Association was held this day, at Concilia-
tion Hall; Daniel O'Connell, Esq., in the chair. The
Attendance was unusually large. The rent for the week
was 871. 18s! lid.

MORE TROOPS FOR IRELAND.
It is stated today that the 57th infantry are to be
detached to Beggar's Bush, the Linen-hall, and Ship-
street Barracks, 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 out 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-
vernment for accommodation within the wads of the
college for a strong military detachment.
The Benehers of the Queen's Inns have also bees
applied to for permission for the military stationed in
the Linen-ball to exercise in the grounds attached to
the Inns in Henrietta-street.

Leinstor House is being fitted up for 300 infantry and'
a strong squadron ofearalry.
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 arrival
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. .

SLIGC; ELECTION.—A third candidate for Sligo is put
forward in the person of Mr. J. Ball, eldest son of Mr.
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•office, relative to his intimacy with'the pike
makers, has created no little sensation. People hereto.
tore dubious of the truth of the rumours about arming
are at length convinced that there was some foundatiou
tbr the statements. _

---
DEPARTURE OF Mn. JOHN O'CoNNELL.--It IS
moured to-day, that Mr. John O'Connell's sudden de-
parture for England, yesterday morning, was cau,ed by
the receipt of important h-t' ers from London—or, as
•,ome have it, dispatches from the Government in refer-
ence to the state of Ireland. One thing is certain, that
Sir. 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 Cork 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
tfect; the successful marksmen being luualy applauded
by the spectators. tior was the practice in the Park a
whit less credi.able to the riflemen, several groups of
whom, admirably equipped and armed, acquitted them-
selves with much eclat by reason of the very great dex-
terity exhibited by them, now firing
tiring in file and line, but always with excellent
re
singly, and
effect.anon
Indeed it is questionable if any regiment in theumsebrer-coi
excepting the Rifle Brigade, could pro
men more competent
e
athletic youngfellows.
in tAhormusse
are o f
alltheir produce
ueacrrema
gase number
than
gun-
smith'stbea
as numerous, could.
importation is con-
sequentlynot supply the demand—and theiritis a
shops, were they four times
well-ascertained
vastly increased.
of the city have been ransacked
fact that the paw n•ofbces
s are also being manufac-
tured, pistols, &c. Pike
eGihtiLedns and country people for
by the lower orders of
I on Saturday
and last were publicly exposed for
sale on the Coal-
The same journalquays.tates that, in one single lane of
poor country town of
the county, the inhabitants are
possessed of fourteen stand of arms. The rage tor fire-
arms, of d any description, is universal in the country
districts.
DISTRESS IN GALWAY.— Mr. Maurice O'Connell
indisputable authority that such was the
stated to-day, at a meeting of the Corporation,._ that he
destitution
haditfromin 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
lion, the Lord Mayor presided.
Mr. Maurice O'Connell, M.P., brought forward his
motion for an address to the Queen, congratulating her
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, ex route to
Belfast.

PUBLIC DEBT.—An account which has been pub-
lished of the additions made to the National Debt
within the last ten years, gives the following items:—La
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
16,5621.; in 1841, addition to capital by three iteMS
6,949,7641., to annual charge 210,3761; in 1842, by two
iteui,, addition to capital 1,191,17 a, to annual charge
36.0921.; in 1843, also by two items, ac,dition to capital
to annual charge 1,3581.; in 1844, addition to
capital 15,2174, to annual charge 4611.; and in 1847,
addition to capital 8,931,5471., and tc aanual charge
270,8371.