Source: The Tuam News and Western Advertiser July 21 1893

IRISH NATIONAL FEDERATION.

ATHENRY BRANCH.

The fortnightly meeting of the above branch was held on Sanday, the President, Very Rev J Canon Canton, in the chair. Also present, Michael Nolan, treasurer; Francis J Feenerty, sec; Thomas Jordan, Michael Kindregan, Michael Ryan, John, Kelly, John McNamara Tom Shaughnessy. John Ward, John Kindregan, Michael Kelly, Michl. Callanan, John Burke, S Baan, John Corly, Michi Coffee, Tom Healy, Michl Malone, Andy Loughnane, Pat Morrissy, Richard Jennings, Pas Cahil, Martin: Rooney, John Kelly, John Quine, Mark. Jordan, Peter Eagle, John Baan, Michael Dillon, John O’Brien, Michael Melia, John Heineghen.

The meeting had under consideration the heartless eviction of s tenant of Capt. Hall’s Bartley Morrissey, his wife and six young children, the oldest of whom is only 9 years old, particulars, of which appeared in last week’s Tuam News in the account of the Newcastle I. N. F. meeting of last Sunday week. Bartley Morrissey is a bard working, struggling poor tenant, who in ordinary circumstances would have plenty to do to make ends meet. He has no means and lost a good deal by defending his case at the Quarter Sessions, there is consequently most cordial sympathy felt for him and & universal resolve to assist him. General dissatisfaction was felt at the action of the two car owners who supplied the case for the executioners of the “Sentence of Death.” One. of them certainly, John Grady, was entirely ignorant of where he was driving. Mr Hall as the following letter and his statement At the meeting-which was believed by all present will show :-

Athenry, 14th July, 88.

The Rev. Chairman and Gentlemen of the I. N. F. *Athenry.

Rev Chairman and Gentlemen-I regret I am compelled to write to yon in reference to what I must call an ugly and unpatriotic action, . I am so filled with indignation with the mean, low and shabby proceeding which, in ignorance, I was engaged in that I am sensible that I can never make up for it to my neighbours in town and country. I refer to the matter of the driving of the agent to the eviction of honest Bartley Morrissey of Cudoo. I solemnly assets i did not know where I was going. I have been occupied many years as  proprietor of cars in Athenry and during the whole time while the people’s movement has been working, I never participated in anything which contributed to harm its progress. (Expression of assent and applause)

I regret this case, ‘ If you permit me to personally state the circumstances which induced me to send my car with Mr Hall I shall bo agreeable to go before the branch’ and state same. . Awaiting your consent to bear me personally, I remain, yours very sincerely

John Grady

John Grady having been sent for came before the meeting, and on the invitation of the Rev President, said :- ” Ou last Wednesday night week, about 10 o’clock, Patt Kally, Mr Arthur Hall’s man in Caherdyan came to me and said the master wanted a car in the morning at 7 0’clock. I asked him where he was going to. I don’t know he says. What I want to know for says I is whether it is a long journey or a short one as it would depend on that which of the horses I’d bring. One of them is fresh and if it was not a long journey I’d bring him. I think it must be a long journey says he as he is not bringing his own horse and landau