During the Limerick Assizes on Saturday, Lord Justice Holmes upheld the decision made by Judge Adams to grant compensation to James Lane, a farmer who fell victim to the malicious burning of his hay in December of the previous year. While the police evidence may not have strongly indicated malice, Lane maintained that he had faced an intense boycott since taking possession of an evicted farm near New Pallas.

In a heartbreaking revelation, Lane shared that due to the boycott, nobody in the district was willing to supply him with a coffin for his deceased son. The funeral was sparsely attended, with only the police and his immediate family present.

The court, upon careful consideration, decided not to extend the liability for the malicious act beyond the parish where the incident took place. This ruling takes into account the specific circumstances surrounding the outrage and confines the area of responsibility to the locality directly involved.

The case sheds light on the issue of boycotting in Ireland, revealing the significant social and economic impact it can have on individuals and their families. The court’s decision to grant compensation to James Lane acknowledges the difficulties he has faced and offers some form of redress for the hardships he endured.

The matter highlights the importance of addressing the issue of boycotts and their potential consequences on people’s lives, emphasizing the need for fair and just measures to protect individuals from such actions in the future.

Aberdeen Press and Journal – Monday 10 July 1905