THE IRISH DELEGATES. PRESENTING A REVOLVER AT MR DILLON. THE CHARGE AGAINST WALSH AT MELBOURNE.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 407, 2 October 1889, Page 5

THE IRISH DELEGATES. PRESENTING A REVOLVER AT MR DILLON. THE CHARGE AGAINST WALSH AT MELBOURNE.

Shortly after the Melbourne Ciby Court opened the other morning, Mr John Dillon, M. P., entered the Court in company with a number of friends, including Mr Uavan Duffy, Mr Clinch, Dr. O'Sullivan, and several other leading Irishmeu in Melbourne, being concerned in the charge against Michael Walsh, of using threatening words against the Irish envoy, and carrying firearms without permission of the local authorities. Mr Dillon occupied a seat at the table beside his solicitor, Mr D.Uaunson, and it soon transpired that the object of the prosecution was not to press the charge against Walsh, but to ask the Bench to bind him over to keep the peace in substantial sureties. The "Melbourne Herald " gives the following account of the case : — The name of Michael Walsh having been called a couple of timos a burly-looking man of more than middle age, with a stronglybuilt frame, issued from the prisoners' waiting-room, and took up his position bohind the bar. His countenance is not of the pleasantest design, his mouth wide, and firmly shut, drooping at each side, and giving the face a somewhat lugubrious tone. His nose is of the pugnacious kind, and his eyes betokened a rather excited mental condition, He looked all over a man with a grievance, and was bubbling over with a desire to let the world know all about it. Mr John Dillon was called by the inspector and ascended the witness-box, presenting a somewhat haggard appearance. He was not asked to describe himself as is generally required of witnesses, but simply said he was at present residing in the colony. On Saturday at 5 o'clock he was going into Menzies Hotel with some friends, when Walsh came up and accosted them, saying that he wished to state his case. Witne&s replied that he had already had full opportunity of doing 30. Walsh asked him for an answer, and witness replied, •• I have already given you your answer." Walsh then said he wanted satisfaction, and witness replied, " I have already given you the . best satisfaction in my power ;" with that prisoner produced a revolver, which .he pointed at his head saying, "I'll take satisfaction," following this remark up with some threatening words, which he could not exactly remember, being a little excited. Witness caught him by the arm, supposing that the revolver was loaded, and the other gentlemen with him threw themselves on the man. He did not think that Walsh made any serious effort to injure him. He had threatened him on several previou« occasions since his arrival in Australia. The prisoner asked for a remand to Friday to get a solicitor, but Mr Stephen subsequently appeared for him. Mr Call : Are you apprehensive that the prisoner will do you grievous bodily harm ? Mr Dillon : Oh, yes ; I think the man is suffering— l think "he is the subject of a monomania with resrard to his grievance, and he has expressed his intention of endangering my life, and I do believe my life is in clanger. Mr Stephen said he was instructed by this man's relations to appear for him. He did not think, so far* as the prisoner was concerned, that he meant any serious harm to Mr Dillon. He now expressed his sincere sorrow for what had happened, and he had no doubt that under tfie circumstances Mr Dillon would see his way to withdraw the charge on Walsh entering into security not to misbehave himself in the future. He might also say in oxtenuation that Walsh had been imbibing, and had allowed himself to get a little excited. The case was then adjourned till 12 o'clock to enable an amicable understanding to be arrived ac, and when the Court resumed M.r Stephen said he had had a conversation with the defendant, and explained to him the position he stood in, and he said he was very sorry for what he had done. He (Mr Stephen) could not help thinking that as the man had a grievance it would be well to allow him to unburden his mind of it now. This grievance, it appeared, was a long-standing one, being of gome seven years' duration. In face, the Statute of Limitation might be pleaded. (Laughter.) Walsh would now apologise to Mr Dillon for his conduct. Mr Dillon : The position I stand in is this. I have no feeling against this man whatever. As to an apology, I have no wish for any such tinner, and don't care in the least whether he apologises or not. The position I stand in is this. The man imagines he has a grievance, and I believe he has none whatever. From information I havo received from friends, he has for a long time past expressed his intention of taking my life, or che life of some of my colleague*. He has on one occasion most seriously threatened my life, and on Saturday he drew a revolver and presented it at my head. The seriousness of the case lies in this, that had I taken advantage of the warnings of my friends, and armed myself with a revolver, the consequence of this man's rash act might have been most serious. Mr Call said the worst feature of the case was that it wasn't done in a moment of irritation, but was premeditated, and they therefore must look upon it in a moro serious light. The prisoner would be bound over to keep the peace for two months, himself in £200 and one surety of £200. f

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