GROSS INTIMIDATION

At Lurgan Quarter Sessions, before his Honour Judge Kisbey. James M'Cooe, dairyman, of Annagh, near Portadown sought £135 compensation for the wilful and malicious burning of a byre, hay shed and cart shed, his property, and also three valuable cows, one bullock and a number of fowl which were in the buildings and burned to ashes.

Jas M'Cooe deposed that he was living in Annagh for the past year. In August last he was proceeding down the main street of Portadown towards the railway station for the purpose of seeing a Catholic excursion going away from Portadown to Bundoran, when he was severely beaten by a number of Protestants.

He was examined on the trial of the Orange Party at the Petty Sessions and subsequent to that he was subject to a long series of annoyances. His windows were broken on several occasions. He received an anonymous letter shortly before the fire threatening to burn him in his bed if he did not leave Annagh. Mr. Farrell produced the letter, but said that the language in it was so filthy that he would not read out any part of it, except that containing the threat.

His Honour said that he could come to no other conclusion than that this was a malicious injury. He would grant £95 compensation and costs and £4 witnesses' expenses to be assessed on the Urban District of Portadown and Portadown Rural Electoral Division.

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