Agrarian Outrage in Ireland.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 21, 6 April 1870, Page 3

Agrarian Outrage in Ireland.

Ou January 1, Mr Grotty, a farmer, was shot at near Ballincove, county Mayo, while returning on a car from the fair at Westport. Some of his hair was shot off the top of his head, and the crown of his hat was blown away. The assassin, who was inside a hedge, walked coolly off. A shopkeeper named Walshe, residing in Shrule, a small town about ten miles from Tuam, was fired at the same day, when returning from the market in the latter town. A man came up to him when about half a mile from Tuam, and putting a pistol against Walshe’s stomach, tired, and lodged the ball in the poor man’s body. The two men who were on the car let the villain escape. The reason—still believed to be the true one—for this desperate attack is, that he was a very large dealer in eggs. As ho had a great command of money, he was able to take a great deal of the trade out of other dealers’ hands, and, in consequence, there was a great deal of ill-feeling against him. His life had been threatened before, and he had protection from the Government. It is reported that he raised the price of eggs to l|d each, and that it was to got rid of so formidable a rival he was shot. No arrest has been made, nor does it seem likely that anyone will be made amenable, as the man himself said the night was so dark that he would not be able to identify the person who shot him. He has since expired. On January 15, a man named Higgins, residing at Swineford, county Mayo, was dragged out of bed by an armed party, who combed” and “ carded” his face and other parts of his body, lacerating him severely, because he offered to take some land from which tenants were to be evicted.

Threatening letters continue to spread alarm in the county of Meath, and other parts of the country.—On January 16, a meeting was held of the Protestant inhabitants of Drumdruff, county Fermanagh, to express sympathy with two men who had received threatening letters, although they are neither landlords, agents, nor bailiffs. The conduct of the writer was denounced in indignant terms, and a resolution adopted that if they suffered any injury, acts of retaliation would be resorted to.