In a surprising and unsettling account, a Limerick judge was presented with a distressing narrative during the trial of a compensation claim brought by John Lane of Lishien. The plaintiff, originally from Cork, shared a harrowing tale of hardship and adversity stemming from what can only be described as an Irish boycott.

The origins of the story trace back to Lane’s decision to take on an evicted farm several years ago. What followed was a series of malicious acts that left a trail of destruction and grief in its wake. Lane’s livestock were brutally mutilated, and his hay was deliberately set on fire on multiple occasions, leaving him grappling with financial losses and emotional distress.

However, the story took an even darker turn when Lane’s son tragically passed away in 1103. In a deeply disturbing incident, Lane sought a coffin for his deceased son from a local undertaker in Tipperary. Shockingly, the undertaker blatantly refused to provide the coffin for the grieving family. Undeterred, Lane managed to secure a casket from another source, and as he brought it back to his home, he faced a chorus of jeers from the local population. The unsettling incident took a sinister turn when a band began to play, further compounding the family’s anguish.

The extent of the torment and humiliation Lane endured was unparalleled, as recounted by the plaintiff during the trial. The judge presiding over the case was visibly moved by the gravity of the situation. In rendering his decision, he awarded Lane a sum of thirty guineas as compensation for the ordeal he and his family had endured.

The judge’s comments during the verdict highlighted the chilling nature of the story, particularly in connection with the tragic death and funeral of Lane’s son. He expressed shock at the callousness and inhumanity demonstrated by those involved in perpetrating such acts of cruelty.

The harrowing account sheds light on the disturbing phenomenon of an Irish boycott, where individuals or communities are subjected to ostracism, intimidation, and various forms of mistreatment. This shocking story serves as a reminder of the complex history and socio-political dynamics that have shaped Ireland’s past, often leaving scars that continue to resonate through the present.

Bingley Chronicle – Friday 07 April 1905