Charles Burke and "The Times Commission"
Charles Burke and "The Times Commission"
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The Land League, started, in 1879 was a powerful organisation. Michael Davitt
was its founder. Its purpose was to protect the tenants from rack-renting and
evictions. It denounced crime and outrage of all kinds, but, still, the odd crime
was committed.
The Landlords brought pressure on the British Government to pass a law making it
illegal for tenants to demand a reduction in their rents. The "London Times"
newspaper backed the Irish landlords, and the law was passed.
The "Times Commission Court" was set up in The Strand, in London, to hear evidence
as to whether crime was encouraged or condemned in Ireland by The Land League.
Now, there was a member of the Kiltimagh Land League branch who went to London,
to The Times Commission Court, and swore against Fr. Denis O' Hara, Charles Burke
and Patrick Hyland, stating that they sent men to the Ormsby estate, Ballinamore,
to commit outrages.
At that time, Charles Burke was joint secretary of the local branch of The Land League.
Fr, Denis O'Hara nominated Burke to represent himself and the other members of the
branch, in London. Fr. Dennis was unable to attend due to his onerous pastoral
duties in this depressed area.
On the 24th June 1889, Charles Burke, being the Kiltimagh Land league Nominee,
was served with a summons to appear forthwith, in London, to admit or refute the
evidence that was sworn against them. Charles Burke prepared, at once, to set
out for London to face the harrowing ordeal, and confronting the biggest legal
bar that ever sat in England.
Charles Burke started on the first leg of his arduous journey to Dublin. He travelled
by train. The train, he said, was very primitive, and had only wooden seats.He arrived
in Dublin after nearly a full day's journey. He made his way to the boat. There were
many men and some few women accompanying him on the boat to England. They were
taking the usual emigrants route, looking for seasonal work or leaving Ireland
for good. Burke described them as a "sombre group of people, travelling in a
cattle boat." Some of the men, he noticed, carried all their meagre possessions
in red polka dot handkerchiefs, tied on the end of sticks.
The boat docked in the Port of Liverpool, and from there he had to make his way
by train to London. This was another tiring journey. On arriving in London,
a "peeler " directed him to The Strand. The streets of London were paved with
cobbled stones. Burke walked all the way, carrying his money in a small cloth bag.
However, He happened to drop the bag, containing a few gold sovereigns from
his hand. Realising what he had done, he bent down to retrieve his bag. He
was only just in time, because two unsavoury characters were making towards
him, intent on stealing his money.
In the vicinity of The Strand, Burke sought a lodging house for the night. It turned
out to be a very grimy place, but he made do with it. The court sat the next day.
On arrival at the court, he met Fenner Brockway M. P., who was always sympathetic
to the Irish cause. Hugh Delargey was also there. Both men were very courteous to
Charles Burke.
Burke was examined by Mr. Reid, and cross-examined by Lord Oxford and by the
solicitor general, Lord Herford. He thoroughly refuted all accusations made against
him and the other members of the local branch of The Land League. The court
accepted his evidence, and all charges were withdrawn against Fr. Denis O'Hara,
Charles Burke and Patrick Hyland.
Charles Burke was thanked in London by The Daily Telegraph, and by several members
of parliament. He accepted an invitation to The House of Commons, and a tour of
the city.
The Lord mayor of Dublin was acting for Co. Mayo in The commission Courts at that time,
as a solicitor. He wrote to Fr. Denis O'Hara, from the courts, telling him that
Charles Burke's evidence was entirely satisfactory.
It is worth noting that Charles Burke was a man who had very little formal education.
He was, therefore, largely self-taught. He had the confidence, not withstanding,
to present himself before the most learned men of the time, and to acquit himself
with distinction.
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