§ MR. BIGGARasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been drawn to a series of assaults committed on Roman Catholics, in the neighbourhood of Falls Road, Belfast, about a week ago, by policemen and non-Catholics; and, what exertions have been made to bring the guilty parties to justice?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe real facts of the case are these:—Some disturbances took place in Belfast on the nights of the 12th, 13th, 14th, and l5th instant, in the neighbourhood of the Falls Road. The police, in the discharge of their duties, were obliged to clear the streets, and keep the contending parties asunder. While performing this duty they were assailed with stones, and whenever this occurred they dispersed the rioters with their batons. The rioters, whether Catholic or Protestant, were treated alike, and no more force was used than the circumstances demanded. Several persons of both parties have been arrested and punished by the magistrates, receiving sentences of from one to six months' imprisonment.