HC Deb 31 July 1888 vol 329 cc955-6
MR. JORDAN (Clare, W.)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been directed to a report in The Daily News and Freeman's Journal, of the 24th instant, of the proceedings in the Petty Sessions Court of Kilrush, on Monday 23rd instant, presided over by Mr. Cecil Roche, R.M., and Captain Welsh, R.M.; whether, in an address from the Bench, Mr. Roche reflected on the clergy of the district as follows—namely, These ignorant peasants have been thus excited and encouraged to set the law at defiance and resist the execution of the Queen's writ by those who ought to act as their spiritual guides and advisers, and not to advise them to break the law;" "Those responsible for all this are not in the dock, but others whom I can name and who are known to every person I am addressing; whether the statement of Mr. Cecil Roche is confirmed by information in the possession of the Chief Secretary; and, if so, why the authorities fail to prosecute those they think to be the more guilty parties; whether proposals of the priests for a settlement with the landlord have been endorsed by the efforts of Mr. Micks, Local Government Inspector; whether, when the clergy and others in the Courthouse, on the delivery of Mr. Roche's address, were in the act of leaving, Mr. Roche "excitedly called on them to come back," and ordered the constable "to arrest anyone who attempted to leave," until he would have finished; whether he will state by what law or authority Mr. Roche was warranted in ordering said arrests; whether he is aware that during the evening the clergy in the Parochial House passed a Resolution protesting against the language of Mr. Roche; and, whether he intends to take any action in consequence of these occurrences?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

I understand that on the occasion referred to Captain Welch was not present. Mr. Roche used the words attributed to him. I have received independent statements confirming Mr. Roche's view. I am not aware whether there is any legal evidence of an offence against the law. If there is, the propriety of the course advocated by the hon. Member may be worth consideration. The fifth, sixth, and seventh paragraphs refer to a demonstration in Court which it was Mr. Roche's duty and right to check. No action on the part of the Government seems necessary.

MR. JORDAN

The right hon. Gentleman did not answer the fourth paragraph of the Question.

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

No; I did not. I have not got the information.

MR. JORDAN

I will put that paragraph again. Meanwhile, I will ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will take steps to compel Mr. Roche to behave decently in Court?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

Mr. Roche does behave decently; and it was in an endeavour to compel some decency in Court that he made the observations referred to in the Question.

MR. W. REDMOND (Fermanagh, N.)

I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in the interests of law and order, in Ireland, he will direct Mr. Roche not to use insulting language against the priests?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not aware that Mr. Roche did use insulting language against the priests.