IRISH AFFAIRS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1893, 14 July 1888, Page 3

IRISH AFFAIRS.

(P3E PRESS ASSOCIATION.) London, July 3. The trial of Mr O'Brien, M.P., fell through m consequence of the depositions taken m the Lower Court having been stolen. The court ordered that the case should be re-heard. London. July 4. In the House of Lords the Earl of Oamperdown alleged that there was strong evidence to connect the National League with the outrages which at various times had occurred m Ireland. Earl Spencer denied that the League was directly connected with crime. Lord Salisbury accused the Liberals of accepting support of those to whom crime at any rate was not odious.

The libel action O'Donnell v « The Times" is still proceeding. Plaintiff's case closed to-day. O'Donnell was not examined. Counsel for- «'J he Times ' contends that the strictures of the paper did not apply to O'Donnell.

Sir B. E, Webster^ counsel for defendant m " The Times " libel action, has produced a number ot letters purporting to have been written by Messrs Parnell, Egan, and Bryne. . In writing to Egan, Parnell, while confined m Xilmainham gaol, reproached him for hesitancy after promising \o make it hot I for old " Buckshot?' 3?orster,' Another letter was produced m which Bryne admitted Parnell gave him £100 when leaving London.

LOMDON, JaTy 6. In theljjjel &c\\orii before 'witnesses for {.be defence lyere called, fidgc railed that there was no case to go to the jury. O'Donnell had withdrawn the case based on general ljbels, and had prooeeded with libels referring to himself personally. Lord Coleridge denounced the gross injnstico of O'Don • nells tactics against " The Times," and the Parnellite party. The jury returned a verdict for the defendant with costs, adding that the . criticisms of the paper were justified by the evidence. !^ Mr Bijl,' proposing to de< voto a sum of £300,000 for draining river lands and swamps m Ireland, has been read a first time. (Received July U, 10 15 a.m ) London, July 5. Among the letters produced by the Counsel for the defence m the libel action against "Qhe Times," was one from Egan to Jamea Carey, stating that; foe cent < { him ; ? (bjr which jt is it^idM Muliett, the Invincible, was meant) ftvo r r a pounds, urging him to give gopd va,lue for the n^pney.