Mrs. Elizabeth Hallet, Wellington, Enniskillen, prosecuted Mrs. Jane M’Combs and Wm, and James M’Combs for using abusive and threatening language. Mr. M’Govern for plaintiff and Mr. Cooper for defendants.

The plaintiff said that on March 1 the three defendants ran into her house together and demanded that she give up the child, referring to her niece, Kathleen O’Donnell, who was the child of her brother John, who was married to a daughter of Mrs. M’Combs.

The child, aged 12, was not with her, and she told them to search the house.

William M’Combs said he would blow her brains out. He had no cap or coat on. James took up a mason’s hammer which was in the house to strike her with it.

James threatened to blow up the house if the child was not forthcoming. Mrs. M’Combs called her a rebel old bitch. Witness called for the police and ran out on the street, followed by the defendants.

Witness said that O’Donnell was her brother and the child was his daughter.

The child resided with Mre. M’Combs for the 11 years. O’Donnell lived in the same house as witness. Witness’s neighbour was Mrs. Smith, his sister.

Mr. Cooper: And when the police went down to look for the child, they found you had it hidden in Mrs. Smith’s? – Never.

How did the child get in there? – I don’t know.

Mr. Cooper said that his clients went to look for the child which had been stolen, and having got the child back there was now no danger of any breach of the peace being committed.

Mrs. M’Combs said that her daughter and O’Donnell were separated. On the day in question John O’Donnell seized the child at the Post Office, dragged the child along, stuffed her mouth so that her screams would not be heard, and took her to Mrs. Smith’s.

However, all the cases were dismissed, the magistrates being unanimous.