The Sun.
London, England, 1821-10-16 00:00:00

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TETESDXY. OCTOBER IG, 1821.

1 It E L 'A•N 1).

DISTURBANCES IN THE COUNTY OF LIMERICK.
(FROM FAULKNER'S DUBLIN JOURNAL, OCT. 12.)
Nightly attacks by gangS of banditti are still
prevalent in this district, and a regular battle
between two factions, took place at Newcastle
race-ground on Saturday last.—Two experiments
are about to be tried in the county of Limerick.
A. meeting was held of the Magistrates at Rath-
keale on Monday, when it was agreed to station
military detachments at Shanagolden, Stonehall,
Ballingarry, Abtreyfeale, and Drumcofloher. For-
that purpose, an order was sent to Templemore
for three-hundred of the 40th regiment. The
following is the disposal of the additional force
about to be sent to-this country :-100 to New-
castle (head quarters,) 50 at Ralakeale, 30
Abbeyfeale, 20 Ballingarry, 2C: Stonehall, 26
Drumcolloher, 120 Askeaton, 20 Torbert, 20
Shanagolden : barracks to dee provided by the
gentlemen of these respective places, 4nd when
ready, furniture to be forwarded by Government.
To supply the necessary force is all that Go-
vernment can do in the matter.
[Here follow the particulars of various out-
rages committed upon the dwellings of individuals
in different parts of the county; with a view to
obtain fire-arms: an object in which they were
too frequently successful.]
RIOT AT VIE' RACE COURSE.-011 Saturday,
from ten to one o'clock at noon, a great number
of persons were seen on the different roads con-
venient to Limerick, all seemingly approaching
towards the race-course of Newcastle, and armed
with guns, blunderbusses, pistols, swords, scythes,
&c. Such as had the curiosity to ask where they
were proceeding, or what was their object in ap-
pearing in so illegal a manner, received only im-
pertinent answers, and the warriors swaggered on
with an air of confidence in themselves and in-
difference towards observers, some of whom were
of rank and well known to them as possessing
authority. It was, however, soon ascertained
that two factions were to meet at the races, to
decide.some of their differences, and they chose
the use of fire-arms for that purpose in prefer-
ence to the native weapon. Immediately after
the first heat was over, a signal shot was fired by
one party, and, in an instant, there was a general
rush towards the tents to meet the opposite fac-
tion : shots were fired without number, and the
screechings and maniac exhibitions of some of
those deluded persons were really horrible; The
peaceable spectators were obliged to fly in all
directionS, and 'the assailing party being more
nit ierous than their opponents, compelled. the
'latter to retire, and leave the others, victors in
the field. In the morning, while the forebodings
of mischief were repeated to every ear, the
Mayor called upon Col. Douglas, Commander of
'Limerick garrison, and apprized- him of what
was likely to occur, and to devise the necessary
measures to repress any disturbance that might
arise therefrom. The Colonel thought the more
prudent way was to proceed himself to the
ground with a dragoon, and if he saw a necessity
for military aid, then to send in to the Mayor.—
The Colonel was but a very short time on the
course when the Warhoop was sounded, and he
instantly dispatched the dragoon to town. A
party of the 6th Cacbineers, under Major Car-
michael, with as 'little delay as possible, pro-
ceeded with the. Mayor and One of the City
Sheriffs ; on reaching the gate of the raceLground
the draenons drew up in line, and shewed a
front towards the rioters, who bad previously
' retired to an adjoining hill distant about half
a mile. Ihstead of retiring on view of the mili-
tary, they set up a shout, and fired several
shots in triumph and contempt. As there was
then no fighting, the object to he attained
was the taking of the arms with which they were
supplied, and for this purpose the Mayor or-
dered the dragoons into two divisions, one of.
which, with the Sheriff, proceeded
.across the
hill to the back road by Moneleen ; and the
other, with tile High Constable, in a contrary
direction, by the road leading to Ballysimbn. In'
a short time both parties came round the, hill,
and the rioters fled in all directions ; some throw-
ineaway their arms into potatoe fields and dykes,
While others had the temerity to fire upon their
pursuers from behind the hedges ; the dragoons",
however, cut such of them down as came within
their reach: There Were three prisoners arrest-
ed,
and conveyed to gaol with some fire-arms. One
of the dragoon's horses received a ball in the
belly, and died next day. A party of the 79th
Foot, with Alderman 'Watson, were on the race
ground, which they occupied in the absence of
the dragoons ; had they been able to follow, mea-
sures would have been taken to prevent the
escape of an individual. The civil Authorities
were particalarly active, and the aid they re-
ceived from some of the City High Constables,
particularly Mr. Benson, was very creditable.—
Major Vereker, Mr. 'Wailer,
.Mr. Ormsby, .and
other Gentlemen, who knew the country, leaped
their horses over every impediment in pursuit of
the rioters; and the dragoons not being able to
follow, those Gentlemen were many times iniin-
minent danger',of being shot, as the villains were
then firing from the ditches; fortunately, how-
ever, no injury was sustained. Informations,
which are capital, have been taken by the Mayor
against those in custody, and a full identity of,
their persons is made.
Lord Courtenay's property is the chief seat of
the disorders -which for some time have agitated
the county of Limerick. This extensive estate
comprises forty-two thousand plantation Acres,
and the agent seems to be at complete variance
with the numerous tenantry. The property .fell
out of lease between the years 1810 and 1813,