§ LORD ARTHUR HILL (for Mr. MACARTNEY)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that, on the 12th of this month, at Omagh, in the county of Tyrone, green arches were erected by the Roman Catholics in the streets through which it was known the Orangemen must pass when proceeding to and returning from the Orange Hall, and the Orangemen, who went quietly into the town in the morning, and returned quietly in the evening, were assaulted with stones, and had one of their party wounded by a pistol shot; whether it is the case that, although a procession of Roman Catholics, bearing green flags with disloyal mottoes, and accompanied by a band playing disloyal tunes, had been allowed to parade on the roads 1961 near Donegal and Ballintree, on the 5th of this month, without interference on the part of the Constabulary, the Orangemen of the same district were prohibited from marching on the same roads on the 12th instant, although it was their only route to their place of meeting; and, if it be true, whether any notice has been taken by the Government of such one-sided action on the part of the Donegal Constabulary?
§ MR. TREVELYANI find that one green arch was hung across the street in the Roman Catholic Quarter of Omagh on the 12th instant. The members of two Orange Lodges going to and coming from the rendezvous at the Orange Hall had to pass through this street. When returning stones were thrown at them. They retaliated with sticks and stones, and fired several shots. One of their party was wounded by a pellet in the leg; but it is thought possible that the wound may have been inflicted by one of his own party in the confusion. The disturbance was quelled by the police, who rushed in between the two parties. The police inform me that there were two arches erected in other parts of the town by the Orange Party, a proceeding quite unknown for many years past. With regard to Donegal, there was no procession of Roman Catholics on the 5th instant; but on the 7th instant the Railway Company gave an excursion from Derry and intermediate stations to Donegal, which was largely availed of. The Derry contingent came with a band and banner. The conduct of the excursionists was most orderly, and there was nothing to call for the interference of the police. On the 12th of July the action of the Constabulary was determined at a meeting of the magistrates of the district, seven being present. Sworn informations were submitted to them that a serious disturbance might be anticipated if the Orange Party were permitted to march in procession through Donegal. Last year, for the first time for a great number of years, there was an Orange procession through Donegal on the 12th of July, and it led to serious rioting.