§ MR. BELLINGHAMasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to a leading article in the "Belfast Morning News," entitled "Intolerance in Ballymena," by which it appears that a party of peaceable excursionists were attacked by a mob who assailed them with stones and sticks; whether the statement is true; and, whether Her Majesty's Government can take any steps to protect law-abiding persons against lawless mobs?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, that it was quite true that a party of excursionists had been attacked in the way described. Twelve persons were summoned for assault on the police and others, and the case was at once put into the hands of the sessional Crown Solicitor. Seven persons were convicted and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment, the case against four was dismissed, and one person was discharged with a caution. Of the seven convictions, five persons had appealed, and two had been sent to gaol.