HC Deb 17 July 1882 vol 272 cc704-5
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether, on a recent occasion in the town of Thurles, the police, acting under the direction of Captain Miller, E.M., prevented a band attached to a religious confraternity in the town from playing on the way to religious service in the cathedral at seven o'clock on a Wednesday evening, as had been the uninterrupted custom every week for years past; whether the band at the time of the prohibition was playing a religious air, the "Adeste Fideles," and whether the same magistrate prevented the same band from playing on last St. Patrick's Day; whether the constabulary of O'Callaghan's Mills, county Clare, prevented the local band from playing "St. Patrick's Day" on the 17th of March last, and threatened to break the drums; whether the band has since been prevented from playing on Sundays or other days for the public recreation, though its proceedings had always been marked by perfect order; and, whether the Government will instruct them not to prevent the playing of bands for recreation or on public festivals, or except when the playing is likely to cause disorder or to endanger peace?

MR. TREVELYAN

Captain Miller, R.M., warned the Thurles band that they would not be allowed to play on the 3rd of May, when the town was illuminated. This order was deemed absolutely necessary, inasmuch as on the 10th of the previous month this same band was followed by a disorderly crowd, and glass to the value of about £6 was smashed in the windows of the Bank of Ireland. Notwithstanding the prohibition, the band persisted in playing, and had to be stopped. They are not prevented from playing to and from the Cathedral, nor were they prevented on St. Patrick's Day. Another band which came from a distance was warned not to play. They did so, however; stone-throwing ensued, and some arrests were made. The O'Callaghan's Mills Band has not been prevented from playing on St. Patrick's Day or any other day. They have been warned to move off the public streets when creating an obstruction.