The Dewsbury Chronicle, and West Riding Advertiser. — 1882-08-19 (Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, England)

TRIALS AT THE DUBLIN COMMISSION  COURT.  THE ALLEGED MISCONDUCT OF A JURY. MR. E. D. GRAY, M.P., SENT TO PRISON.  At the Dablin Commission Court on Monday, three young men named Killeen's, Bryan, and Duggan were found guilty of comtnitting a savage asenult on John Se'liven, at Mallow, and were sentenced to 20, 15, and 10 years penal servitude respectively. A man named Rorke was sentenced to 15 years, and three others, named Connor, Savage, and (Jostens to 10 years penal servitude for moonlighting offences. Lawrence Kenny was convicted of firing at Sergeant Macauley, of the Fifth Fasiliers, in Mellinger, and was sentenced to penal servitude for the remainder of his life. The foreman of the jury, who convicted Hynea for murder on Saterday, drew the attention of Judge Lawson to a letter In that day's Freeman's Journal, from Mr. Wm. O'Brien, editer of United Ireland, in which Mr. O'Brien accused the jury of being drank on Friday in the hotel in which they stayed at night. To foremen denied that any of the jury were in any degree affected by drink, and affirmed that they had given a most rainfel ease the utmoet possible consideration. Judge Lawson replied that he was glad to hear this statement, and he hoped the attention of. the Attorney-General would be directed to the matter. The Attorney-General Intimated that he had intended making an application on the subject at a later period of the day, bnt as it had been mentioned he would state that a formal application would be made at the sitting of the court next Wednesday. The observations of the Judge and Attorney-General were greeted with loud cries of " Hear, hear" from all parte of the court. At the Dahlia Commission Court, on Viredneeday, the Solicitor-General moved for an attachment against Mr. Gray, M.P., high sheriff, proprietor of the Freeman's Journal, for contempt in charging the Crown with jury packing and for publishing a letter signed by " William O'Brien, United Ireland, ex-suspect," charging the jury in the Ennis murder care with drunkenness and disorderly conduct. Mr. Gray said that from the observations of the Solicitor-General one would imagine that there never was jury packing in Ireland. It the charges were true he had nothing to withdraw. He ticked for an adjournment. The Solioitot-Geneeal prenrsed for immediate punishment. Judge Lawson sentenced Mr. Gray to three months' imprisonment and also to pay a fine of £5OO, and afterwards find bail to keep the peace for six months, himself in £5,000 and two sureties of £2,500, in default to be imprisoned another three months. The eentense caused great excitement. Mr. O'Brien said he was prepared to justify every line of the letter. Judge Lawson ordered him to leave the court instantly, or he would be placed in the dock. Mr. Davitt was also pet out by the police. The city coroner was then ordered to take the high sheriff into custody, and Mr. Gray was then renaosed to Richmond Gaol amid a scene of the greatest excitement. Measures were taken by the authorities in the event of probable (Et:tuber:eels. The Pall Dlall Gazette says that the epecteele of the High Sheriff of the Irish capital being hurried through the streets of Dablin surrounded by Hasears with drawn eabree to serve cut ei term of six months' imprisonment in the common gaol, is one of those evens which leave a deep and painful impression on the imagination of men. We are much mistaken if such an exercise of the poor vested in Justice Lawson's hands tends to forward the rude for which the Cemmirsion Court was constituted. The St James's Gazette also comments nnfavourably on the incident, which it considers cannot be regarded otherwize than as a naot.t untoward one. Even in England the severity of the sentence wi:l by many persons be resented as C:Cfn!SiVO. It may be necessary, but the necessity is to be deplored. At a crowded meeting of the members of the National Land and Latour League of Great Britain held in Weetnattas.er on Thursday night, Mr. M. F. De'nenty prealding, the following resolution was unenimously passed :—" That viewing with indignation the high-handed and despotic action of Ur. Justice Lawson in committing to prison Mr. Gray, M.P., upon the pretext of contempt of court, also eallieg for the removal of Judge Lawson from the Bench, as loving forfeited the confidence of all justice. losing people." A committee was formed to cooperate in any action to be taken on the subject.