27 FEBRUARY 1858, Page 5

IRELAND.

Statements live been current for some time alleging great distress in Donegal. Ten Roman Catholic priests put their names to a document epenifying the union of Dimfanaghy as presenting the worst cases of . destitution. The Guardians of the. union profess astonishment at -the .statement. There are "oily, twenty-two panpers in the workhouse for the entire union," The Guardians brave requested the Poor-law Commis- -sioners to send en Inspector to inquire into the state of the union.

The Master in Chancery has finally determined to accept 65001. from the English shareholders of the Tipperary Bank, as payment in full of all claims 'on them if litigation had proceeded, expense was certain, but a verdict against the English' shareholders Was very doubtful.

• The trial of I'atlierCouway, the Mayo .priest, terminated on Saturday. On Friday a number of witnesses had been called' for the defence. Their evi- dence differed much from the testimony for the prosecution. They alleged that Father Conway did not incite the people to attack Mr. Higgins and his party—did not denounce him and his friends—did not curse his Catholic supporters from the altar. With respect to the last matter, while the wit- nesses for the prosecution stated that Conway said the curse of God would fall upon certain landlardS for keeping their dependents from mass on that particular day, Conway's witnesses .atated-, that the priest remarked that he hoped the curse of God would Wcirrall upon the Landlords for acting so. - In sumining-up, Saterdieir; theChief Justice explained the law of the case; vindicated-the constitutional adieu' of the House of Commons in ordering 'a prosecution ; and Showed that the Attorney-General had taken the only couraeopen to him.' .

The Jury retired at three o'clock. They remained in their room above three hours, and then the foreman stated find there was no chance of their agreeing. The minority in favour of acquitting the accused would not give

their reasons: The Chief Justice said, he regretted much that on a re__— verr jury of the county of Dublin there sherald• be any gent enien who would - refuse to give alair and impartial discussion to any qtieation that came before them. The Jury were than discharged. Some cheering Ia the hill and avenues leading to the court, followed the arinouncement "No

verdict." . ,

• Here the Attorney-GeneraPs prosecutions came virtually to an end. Father Ryan was to have been tried on 'Monday. On that day his counsel applied for a poetpenenient, in consequence of 'the absence of a material witness. The Attorney-General, consented ; and the trial was postponed to the sittings after next Trinity' Term. It is be-Rot-eel that it will not take place.