HC Deb 26 May 1879 vol 246 cc1228-30
MR. VERNER

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he has seen the statement of Mr. W. Sinclair, of Holy Hill, county of Tyrone, in the "Daily Express" of May 16th, in which that gentleman says— Myself detained by illness abroad, I can only hope that the late outrage will draw some attention to the general state of the district, which is at present under the absolute rule of a Ribbon Distillery Gang; and, whether this alleged state of things will be at once investigated and put down?

MR. MITCHELL HENRY

Before the right hon. Gentleman replies to the Question, I beg to ask him the Question on the same subject of which I gave him private Notice. It is, Whether he has seen a letter from Mr. Gallaher in the "Londonderry Journal" of the 21st instant, contradicting the statement of Mr. Sinclair, and alleging that the outrage was not a Ribbon outrage, but the result of an Orange conspiracy; and, whether the letter of Mr. Sinclair from Biarritz, in the South of France, stating that certain districts in the county Tyrone were under the absolute rule of a Ribbon distillery gang, is not a great exaggeration of the circumstances of the illicit distillation which is carried on in the neighbourhood, and which was common in various parts of Ireland just as much amongst Protestants as Catholics?

MR. CALLAN

also asked, If the Chief Secretary for Ireland has seen the statement of Mr. Patrick Gallaher, of Strabane, in the county of Tyrone, in the "Londonderry Journal," referring to the letter in the "Daily Express" of Mr. Sinclair, of Holy Hill, county Tyrone, of which Mr. Gallaher states "a more unfair communication was never penned by any man assuming to be a gentleman," and that— If Mr. Sinclair honestly investigated the matter he would find that the perpetrators of the outrage are closely connected with his own place, where there are a number of rabid Orangemen," and "that there was strong evidence to show that it was the work of some members of that blood-stained society; and, whether Mr. Sinclair made any information of the "stills," of the working of which he found traces on ten different farms on his property, or whether he took any steps whatever to abate that nuisance?

MR. J. LOWTHER

Sir, my attention has been called to some correspondence conducted through the Irish Press, in which statements and counter-statements of a recriminatory nature have been indulged in. I am not in a position myself to decide which of the contending parties is in fault; but the only point I think I am called upon to answer is whether at the present time I have reason to believe the district referred to is "under the absolute rule of a Ribbon distillery gang." From the reports I have perused, I believe there is a certain amount of Ribbonism, and I have no doubt there is a good deal of illicit distillation; but as to how far these movements are connected, I must say no evidence has reached me leading me to suppose that both practices are indulged in by the same parties. As regards the steps which it is our intention to take, I can only say the subject is under investigation, and such steps will be taken as are found to be necessary.

MR. CALLAN

inquired, Whether any report had been received, from the Constabulary authorities; and whether the Chief Secretary had any objection to state whence the statement was supplied, either that there was at present a large amount of illicit distillation, or that there was any Ribbon Society in operation in the district?

MR. J. LOWTHER

I have stated that my impression is derived from the perusal of various reports. This is all the information I have.

MR. CALLAN

said, what he wanted to ask was, Whether these reports were newspaper reports, or authoritative reports from the Constabulary Office; whether they were received from those interested in the preservation of peace and order in the district and the maintenance of the Revenue, or whether they were merely the newspaper reports of insane and rabid individuals?

MR. J. LOWTHER

As I have already said, from the various sources of information I had at my command, including official and other reports.

MR. CALLAN

But, Sir, what I wish to ascertain—Cries of" Order!"]

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman having already had a full Answer, it is not competent for him now to renew the Question.