REMARKABLE PROCEEDINGS AT AN IRISH CHAPEL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1199, 20 February 1885, Page 3

REMARKABLE PROCEEDINGS AT AN IRISH CHAPEL.

The Rev David Walsh, a Roman Catholic priest and advanced Nation alist, has been removed from his old parish in Wexford, where he occupied a house which he called Davitt Hall. He also changed the name of the Templctown to Pam ell stow n Mr Walsh wa-i the leader of a body of 200 countrymen who rode on horseback to political meetings, the priest rding at their head Some extraordinary proceedings have followed the removal. The Hish'-p having refused to reinstate the curate, a body of men known as The Hoop, 200 strong, assembled, and proceeding to tire chapel, nailed up the doors nud windows, a guard being placed to watch the place. On the Sunday morning, when the newly appoint! d curate, with the parish priest, proceeded to the chapel, they found it surrounded by armed men with pikes, ! spades, shovels, and mallets. The curate was informed -with profane

language that he would not be al lowed to eater, the parish priest b'-ing told that he might go in, but noue of the congregation would be permitted to follow him. The clergymen then left, and mass waa afterwards said at the residence of the parish priest, which adjoins the chapel The Hoop meanwhile remained at the barricaded chapel and held prayers on the grass. Not long since the pews in this ehapel belonging to a farmer named Cooney, of Kilbeggan, who had made him>elf obnoxious by paying his rent, were torn up, and Mr Coonsy was hustled out of the chapel by the crowd.