§ MR. J. R. YORKEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is the fact that the bells of the chapels in the district where processes of the Law are about to be enforced in Ireland are made the medium of summoning the inhabitants to resist the carrying out of the Law; whether this was the case at Michelstown, county Cork, last week; whether such use of means ordinarily used to summon congregations for religious exercises is legitimate; and, whether the sanction of the clergy of the several parishes was sought and obtained?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, he had received reports as to the carrying out of this practice in certain districts, and he believed it had occurred at Michelstown. In some cases, though not in all, that course of conduct had received the sanction of the clergy. The practice was entirely illegal, and wherever the Government could they proceeded against the offenders; but there was great difficulty in obtaining evidence.