The Sun. — 1864-08-24 (London, England)

THE BELFAST RIOTS.  Did the police caution them to go away P—Not that I heard.  Did you sea guns, or pistols, or swords at the time with the mob ?—I saw nothing but sticks and stones, Did you see the police struck P—l do believe they were struck, for the stones came amongst them. I did not go to the top of the bridge, and cannot say how far the police were from the people when they fired. Do you say it was judicious to fire ?—I have seen more stones thrown without firing.  Were they in danger?—Well, a man's brains might be knocked out with a stone.  Why didn't you bring your own force up when you saw the crowd pelting the polica with stones f—l selected two men—Moffett and Wiley.  And you left the whole body of men standing at Chrisi Church ?—They were all there.  And you saw this outrage being perpetrated on the constabulary, and you left your wholo force and did not bring them to their relief ?—I did not. You went yourself P—l did. I considered it was not necesEary to take the the force up. Although you saw the constabulary pelted with stones ? —Yes.  Tell the jury the reason you had for this. You have thunderstruck me. Have you any explanation to give P I consider that two men going up to the same crowd was better than taking a whole body. Da you swear to the Court that you think two of the constabulary force would have been sufficient to quell the riot state on my oath that three of us did stop them. Do you swear upon your oath that two or three of the constabulary would have been capable of quelling that disgraceful riot ?-1 do not think they could. But " two of us" could do it ?—Three of us did do it. Three of the local police.  Well. when it occurred to you that two or three of you could do it, would it not have been better to have brought the whole body ?—lt would not. Have you brought any of the parties to justice that you saw clodding stones P—lf I had made an arrest I don't believe I would have been able to bring the party out of the mob.  How long was this disgraceful clodding going on?—li was going on from the time I left Christ Church till I wens to the bridge,  How did the three put a stop to it? Put me up to the secrot of it.—lt was done by us. Did you say, " Brother, don't now 2"—lt was done. Was that expression used ?-4t was done. Coroner—l am afraid we are wandering from the inquiry.  Mr O'ltorke—Nero three shots fired.?--None that he ard.  You heard the police fire ?—I did, And they were pelted at the time they were going up the bridge ?—Yes.  And they were pelted by the other portion of :the mob that got into the railway ?—Yes. They were pelted from behind and before ?—Yes ; and after the police returned, and were coming down Durhamstreet, a shot came after them. Several constables proved beyond any possibility of refutation the ferocious character of the mob; that they were pelted with stones; shots were fired at them, by which some were slightly injured ; and that the men called upon their officer not to let them be murdered, They were unanimous in asserting that if the mob had beers let to surround them their lives would have been sacrificed. The jury could not agree, and had to be discharged with• out finding a verdict, as already stated.  ----•