The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1848-05-09 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

SMITH O'BRIEN AND HIS THREE COPATRIOTS MOBBED. —On Saturday, Messrs. O'Brien Meagher and Mitchell were entertained at a soiree in Limerick. The Old Irelanders were determined to oppose them, and, in consequence, a dreadful riot took place. The' windows and doors of the building where they were assembled were demolished, stones and missiles were hurled in through the broken window sashes, shots were fired by; the confederates, who in self-defence, were obliged to tear up the seats and forms to protect themselves—an. effigy of Mr. Mitchell was burned outside the doors. The scene was frightful. Smith O'Brien received a cut on the head, and a severe contusion on his side, one of his ribs being said to be broken. The rioters were at last dispersed by the police and military. After the troops had withdrawn, the mob broke all the cups, saucers, plate, benches, and ornamental festoonings. The mob would have murdered Meagher and Mitchell but for the police. When Mr. O'Brien appeared at the Queen's Bench on Monday, his head was bound up with straps and plasters. Mitchell and Meagher were protected home by the Mayor, the latter having a drawn dagger in his hand to protect himself ;• they were hooted and hissed, and pelted the whole way to the hotel. Mr. Meagher was smuggled out of Limerick on Sunday. Mr, O'Brien resigned the representation of the county of Limerick in consequence of the treatment he experienced, but has since consented to withdraw his resignation. The row was got up by a rev. father, who reverenced the name Of O'Connell, and instigated the Old Irelanders to the attack, in consequence of a libellous charge brought by Mitchell against the " Liberator." In a meeting of Young Irelanders at Cork, on Monday, Mr. Meagher gave a description of the scene at Limerick, tallying in all the main points with the previous account. He added that, while he was entering his inn, a stone was hurled at him by one of the mob, who missed his aim, and struck the landlord with such violence as to deluge his face with blood. Mr. Mitchell was forced to conceal himself in a blacksmith's shop, where he remained for several hours, until at length he ventured to his inn.  THE STATE PROSECUTIONS  COURT OF QUEEN'S BENCH, DUBLIN,-MONDAY  The Court was much crowded, as Mr. O'Brien had to appear in person, when charged with the informations filed against him by the Attorney-General ; and it was understood 'Mr. Mitchell meant to apply that he might appear by attorney. Both Mr. Mitchell and Mr. O'Brien appeared. On Mr. O'Brien being charged with the indictment filed against him be pleaded not guilty. Sir C. O'Loghlen, on the part of Mr. Mitchell, applied that he might be at liberty to appear by attorney, but on failing to make out any case, the application was refused, and Mr. Mitchell has again put in a dilatory plea in abatement, on the ground that an indictment has been found against him for the same offence as that for which the Attorney-General has proceeded by ex officio information, and has been quashed. The plea is, that the indictments should have been quashed, instead of having notie prosequi entered upon them, as has' been done by the law officers.  The trials of O'Brien and Meagher, will come on about the 15th inst. Mr. Mitchell will have a slight respite. On Tuesday, the attorney general having joined issue on the plea in abatement, sought to. force Mr. Mitchell to join issue at once, instead of in four days, according to the established practice. The Court refused to deviate from its usual course. The result of this is, that Mr. Mitchell cannot be tried this term. Add to this, there is a tolerably general opinion at the bar that the plea is a good one. •