THE MITCHELSTOWN RIOTS

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 42, 17 September 1887, Page 2

THE MITCHELSTOWN RIOTS

REVOLTING SCENES, WOUNDED POLICEMAN STABBED, STONED AND KICKED. ARREST OF O’BRIEN.—HE MAKES A SPEECH. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS London, Sept, 15. Fuller particulars of the Mitchelstown riots state that the scene was of the most horrible description. During the riot the wounded police crawled into the gutters, where they were kicked, stoned and stabbed. Tne Times says the blood of the viotim 8 rests on O’Brien, Labouchere, and the Radicals engaged in the demonstration. The Pall Mall Gazette urges Mr Gladstone to visit Ireland and answer the bloody chaienge. O’Brien, addressing his sympathisers after his arrest, says that if the people .would emu ’ late the spirit of the Irish at Mitchelstown Ireland Would soon be delivered from the Irish thrall. Davitt denounces the butchery by the police. PreViods to his arrest Mr O'Brien spent the day at Callybrook with Messrs Dillon and Harrington. He received a telegram from Messrs Labouchere and Brennan, asking him to accompany them to London. O’Brien and Harrington were going on board the steamer at Kingstown to decline the invitation when a detective met O’Brien and told him he would not arrest him if he would promise not to go to England. O’Brien refused, and was taken to the Imperial Hotel, escorted by the police, who informed him he could remain there for the night on the condition that he did not make a speech. He lefuaed, and said as long as there was breath in his body his voice would not ba silent, and he addressed the crowd from the balcony. He was proud to suffer with the poor victims of Mitchelstown. The elter of a promise ol non-arrest if ha did not go to England indicated that the Government dreaded his appearance. The crowd was enthusiastic. When interviewed at the hotel O’Brien said he only wanted to board the steamer to speak to Mr Labouchere, He had not intended to speak aftbr his arrest, Until it was suggested by the detective.

In the House of Gommons Mr Balfour said the police fired to save the wounded who were crawling to the barracks under a shower of stones, He reproached the Opposition with using the lives and the property of the Irish as counters in a political game.

Lord Churchill warmly supported the Government. . In the .House of Commons on the discussion on Irish affairs, Mr Gladstone strongly deprecated acts of recrimination in dealing with the Irish difficulty.