MR O'BRIEN BEFORE THE COURT. EVIDENCE GIVEN BY A MURDERER.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 335, 19 January 1889, Page 5

MR OBRIEN BEFORE THE COURT. EVIDENCE GIVEN BY A MURDERER.

London, January 15. The " Times "- Parnell Commission, which adjourned on the 14 th Decombor for the Christmas and New Year holidays, resumed its sittings to-day. Sir Charles .Russell, counsel for the Parnellites, directed the attention of the Commission to an article which had been published in the " Woi coster Daily Times," reflecting on the proceedings before the Commission. The learned eounsol contended that the remarks of the journal were highly improper, and urged that the publishers of that paper should be punished tor contempt. After some discussion, the matter was postponed for further consideration. Mr William OBrien, M.P. for Cork County, N.K, and editor of the Home h'ule paper " United lieland," who was arrested on the 16th December by order of Sir James Hannen, President of the Commission, fur publishing an article in the paper abovenamed, stated to have been couched in outrageous language, grossly insulting to the Commission, was first dealt with. Upon being askod to explain his conduct, JSlr OBrien burst into a passion- . ate haiangue, and in the course of his speech claimed his right as a public journalist to criticise the proceedings as well as tho decisions of the Commission, so far as they ref cried to political matters. lie contended that if this right to comment on the proceedings of the Commission were denied public journals in Ireland, it would involve the suspension of all political discussions m the country. Sir James liannen intimated that the Commission would take time to consider the question, and would deliver judgment on a future day. The next case dealt with was that of the Hon. (.<. C. Broderiek, Warden of Merton College, Oxford, against whom a complaint was made that at the inauguiation of the Liberal-Union-ist League at Oxford he had compared Michael Davitt to the Whitechapel murderer. Mr Brodcrick, when called upon, immediately tendered to tho Commission a complete and graceful apology for having made the allusion referred to, and was thanked by Sir James Hannen for thus at once making the runciuh honorable, and so saving the time of the Commission. The heaiing of evidence was then resumed. Sir It. E. Webster, Attorney-Gene-ral, counsel for the "Times,"' made a statement as to tlua course of business. He said that the evidence as to the cause and eflect of crime in Ireland was nearly concluded, and that in all probability he would be able to proceed next week with tho evidence relating to the letters alleged to have been written by Parnell. London, January 16. A witness named Jago, a member of the Committee of the Killoe branch of the League, was examined before the Times-Parnell Commission yesterda}'. j He swore that he and another murdered a grazier, named Hooligan, by order of the League, and that the President of the local branch paid them money for the committal of the crime. He also swore that the Killoe branch received money for this purpose from the Central League, Dublin. London, January 16. The Parnell inquiry was continued today. Patrick Delany, a convict, admitted in the course of his evidence that he was connected with the Phoenix Park murders. He sv\oie that the' Invincibles received enoimous sums of money from the Land League, and also expensive arms. They were sworn to murder Earl Spencer and Loid Cavendish, and all other obnoxious officials. Witness was ordered to shoot intruders during two fruitless attempts which were made on the life of Mr Forster, Chief Secretary for Ireland, and also during the Phcenix Park minders. They were also ordered to murder Judge Lawson, who would have been killed it witness had not warned a detective. Byrne told the murderers they need not stop the work for want of money.