On Monday, 16th December, 1867, the Head Police Office, Exchange-court, Dublin, presented an excited scene.  The daily papers of the day report the proceedings as follows:—­

At one o’clock, the hour appointed by the summons, the defendants attended in court, accompanied by their professional advisers and a number of friends, including Alderman Plunkett, Mr. Butler, T.C.; the Rev. P. Langan, P.P., Ardcath; A.M.  Sullivan, T.C.; T.D.  Sullivan, J.J.  Lalor, &c.  Mr. Dix and Mr. Allen, divisional magistrates, presided.  Mr. James Murphy, Q.C., instructed by Mr. Anderson, represented the crown.  Mr. Heron, Q.C., and Mr. Molloy appeared for J.J.  Lalor.  Mr. Crean appeared for Dr. Waters.  Mr. Scallan appeared as solicitor for J.J.  Lalor and for Dr. Waters.

It was generally understood, on arrival at the Head-office, that the cases would be heard in the usual court up stairs, and, accordingly, the defendants and the professional gentlemen waited in the court for a considerable time after one o’clock.  It was then stated that the magistrates would sit in another court down stairs, and all the parties moved towards the door for the purpose of going there.  Then another arrangement was made, that the change would not take place, and the parties concerned thereupon returned to their places.  But in a few minutes it was again announced that the proceedings would be in the court down stairs.  A general movement was made again by defendants, by counsel, by solicitors, and others towards that court, but on arriving at the entrances they were guarded by detectives and police.  The benches, which ought to have been reserved for the bar and solicitors, and also for the press, were occupied by detectives, and for a considerable time great difficulty was experienced in getting places.

   Mr. George M’Dermott, barrister, applied to the magistrates to assign
   a place for the members of the bar.

   Mr. Dix—­I don’t know that the bar, unless they are engaged in the
   cases, have any greater privilege than anyone else.  We have a
   wretched court here.

   Mr. M’Dermott said the bar was entitled to have room made for them
   when it could be done.

   Mr. W.L.  Hackett—­All the seats should not be occupied by policemen
   to the exclusion of the bar.

Mr. Scallan, solicitor, who spoke from the end of the table, said—­Your worships, I am solicitor for one of the traversers, and I cannot get near my counsel to communicate with him.  The court is filled with detectives.

   Mr. Molloy—­My solicitor has a right to be here; I want my solicitor
   to be near me.

   Mr. Dix—­Certainly; how can men defend their clients if they are
   inconvenienced.

   An appeal was then made to the detectives who occupied the side bar
   behind the counsel to make way.

   Mr. Murphy, Q.C., said one was a policeman who was summoned.  Mr.
   Dix—­The police have no right to take seats.