The Warwickshire Herald. — 1888-11-15 (Birmingham, West Midlands, England)

STORY OF A MOONLIGHT VISIT.  James Barran, farmer, of Letterfrack, examined by Mr. Atkinson, Q.C., said the Land League was established there by Pat Ruan, who was treasurer, in 1880. Witness attended meetings of the League, which were held in Mrs. Welsh's hotise, one of whose sons was hung for the murder of Lyden. There might be is hundred present or only thirty. Witness was also a member of the Fenian Society; 'he was sworn in by Pat Ruan in 1880. He got a notice from Farley, and went with him to Tulley. They went to Ballery's house, and he accompanied them. At Tulley cross roads they met about 70 people, and they went to Anthony Coin's house. Michael Macdonald was in command of the party. Command was given to break open the door and fetch Coin down out of bed. This was because he was going to evict an under-tenant named Lyden. It was arranged at Welsh's house that they should give Coin a good beating, and get from him the processes against Lyden. Some of the party had firearms with them. Macdonald and Cowley had revolvers, and Pat Welsh a rifle. He saw Coin out of bed and on the floor. Coin swore that he had no processes, but he was ' much beaten, and three shots were fired through the roof of the house. Each lean then went to his own place. Nobody was apprehended for that affair. He attended a meeting in Pat Ruan's shop, where the question of Mr. Graham's tenants was discussed. The meeting was held about 9 o'clock in the evening, and there were about five or six present. There was a rumour that Mr. Graham's tenants were paying rent. He was one of his tenants. The tenants had all received good reductions, and were on good terms with the landlord, and he said he did not see why they should not pay it. Someone said that Mr. Graham or someone belonging to him should be shot. Notices were then posted on the tenants' doors not to pay any rent or they would be shot. The tenants still paid rent by stealth. They resolved to boycott McDonnell, who was Graham's agent. His sheep were taken from time to time and taken to Mrs. Welsh's house. He was once working near the house of Canon Fleming, Farley was working with him, and he said he would not like to be in the Canon's shoes. The Canon was subsequently fired at. PLOTTING THE LTDRNS' MURDER,  He remembered the time when the Lydens were murdered. A meeting was held in Mrs. Welsh's house in reference to it, and both her loss were present. He got notice to attend that meeting from Ruan, who, however, was not present. Johnny Ruan, his brother, was present. It was said that the Lydens ought to be shot for hold• in the farm from which the Welshes were evicted. It had been arranged at a previous meeting that a party should go to the Lydens' house. Six men, of whom witness was one, were selected by Ruan and Pat Welsh. Farley and Welsh had revolvers. When they got to the house they found a light there. They tried to get Lyden out of the house, but did not succeed. He was not present when Lyden was shot, and did not know of it till the following morning. In cross-examination by Sir Charles Russell. witness said that the meetings at Welsh's house were attended by Fenians. The parish priest was not a Fenian, but he did not know that he was president of the local branch of the Land League. Peter Flaherty, a farmer, gave corroborative evidence. He abandoned the society because they illtreated him, and charged him with giving informatien to the people. He took part in driving the sheep off the land of a farmer named O'Neil, but he was not present at any other outrage. Edward Flanigan gave evidence of collecting money and arms in America in 1879. He brought some arms back when he came from America in 1885. His brother had taken a farm, of which the tenant had been dispossessed for non-payment of rent. He lived with his brother in Ireland from 1882 to 1885. He had returned to America before the National League had started at Shanglish, but it was in existence when he again returned in 1885. He brought two revolvers over to give to Pat Kinearny, but did not give them to him. He kept one, and was prosecuted for being in possession of arms. He got three months. (Laughter.) The Court then adjourned.