HC Deb 24 April 1882 vol 268 cc1266-8
MR. LEAMY

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it is true, as reported in the "Cornish Telegraph" of Thursday 20th instant, that, on Tuesday last, a riot occurred at Camborne, Cornwall, which began in an attempt to stone two Irishmen who were in the custody of the police; that the houses of the Irish in the town were wrecked, and the property in them destroyed and several of their occupants brutally ill-used, that, in one case, a poor old woman who had been bedridden for a couple of years was pulled from her bed and left writhing in agony on the floor; that an attack was made on the Catholic Chapel, and that— First the windows were smashed in, then, after repeated efforts, the doors were forced. Inside, the rioters lost all control of themselves, and did most wanton damage. They broke up the crucifixes and pictures; the image of the Virgin Mary was torn from its place, thrown amongst the mob, and trampled to pieces. The confessional-box was speedily converted into fire-wood. The altar and its fittings were torn down, the gaseliers were broken off, and the organ destroyed—the scene within the Church beggaring description; whether any of the rioters have been arrested; and, whether any steps have been taken to protect the life and property of the Irish residents in Camborne and to restore law and order in that town?

MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHY

Before the right hon. and learned Gentleman answers the Question, I may, perhaps, be allowed to put another on the same subject. I wish to ask him whether he has seen the following statements in The Standard of this morning, and whether they are true so far as he knows:— About a dozen men suspected of being ringleaders in the riots, were also sworn in, and placed on duty in the Town Hall; and, again— Complaint is generally made that there were rumours for a week or more before the Petty Sessions day that there would be a riot, and that the Catholic chapel would be wrecked, of which rumours the Magistrates were informed by the priest. No precautions were taken to prevent the threats being carried out. Secondly, that after the riot no protection was provided for the threatened Irish in the outlying villages. And, thirdly, that when the county police were brought to Camborne they were kept shut up in the station, so that they were utterly useless, and the victory lay with the mob. Not one of the rioters has yet been apprehended?

MR. BELLINGHAM

asked whether the right hon. and learned Gentleman had seen the statement in this day's paper to the effect that the conduct of the authorities had been the subject of ridicule throughout the country amongst all classes?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I have received reports on the subject from the Chief Constable and from the Justices, which are too long to read to the House; but the effect of which, to my mind, is that none of those reports in the newspapers are correct. They are entirely exaggerated, and altogther inaccurate. That is the answer I have to give with reference to the newspaper reports. With regard to the latter part of the Question, I am informed that the steps which have been taken to protect the life and property of the Irish resi- dents in Camborne, and to restore law and order in that town, have been sufficiently effectual, and that no repetition of these disgraceful riots has taken place. I saw the Chairman of the Local Quarter Sessions at the House here on Friday, just before he was going to Cornwall, and I impressed upon him the necessity and propriety of making every effort to arrest the authors of these riots. I have received a telegram to-day showing that one of the persons has been arrested, and that it is intended to make further arrests.

MR. HEALY

May I ask whether it is not true that the special constables sworn in to prevent the riot were the ringleaders of it?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I have no information to that effect.

MR. LEAMY

Is it true that the Roman Catholic Church was wrecked and the sacred ornaments torn down?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

The accounts I have received say that that statement is quite untrue. Some of the windows were broken; but a very gallant lady routed the mob with a candlestick. [Cries of "Read!"] She was carrying out a pair of large candlesticks when she saw a man trying to unship the altar rail. She put down one candlestick, clubbed the other, and went for him. He ran away, leaving his pocket-handkerchief behind him; and every soul in the place scuttled off, hiding their faces in their coat-collars. All the sacred vestments and other articles were rescued.

MR. BELLINGHAM

Was the church in such a state that no service could be held in it on Sunday?

SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT

I believe it was thought indiscreet to hold a service there last Sunday.