It is stated in the Mayo Constitution, that at the
Sessions of Clare- monis, several processes and civil bills were brought for recovery of tithes, and only a very few were proceeded with, the process-server swearing in open court that he had been warned by several persons not to attempt to serve processes, or he would forfeit his life. Notwith- standing such warning, he did proceed to serve them ; when he was attacked by a numerous mob of persons armed with sticks, stones, and other weapons ; and had he not outrun his pursuers, his life most pro- bably would have been taken.
At the Quarter-sessions at Naas, eleven men, women, and children, were tried for assaulting tithe-process-servers, who were beaten, kicked, and compelled to chew and swallow eighteen parchment lati- tats. A woman was very anxious to have them drowned, else she said they might annoy them again for tithes. Four of the prisoners were acquitted ; and as the Jury could not agree on a verdict as to the rest, they were liberated on bail. The prosecutors failed in proving the identity of the prisoners ; all of whom, of course, proved alibis.
At the same sessions, two Orange policemen were sent to prison for assaulting two Liberal Protestants and their servants, because they subscribed to the Justice Rent.
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