MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether he is aware that Mr. W. P. Lloyd-Vaughan, an active magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant in the Roscrea District, entertained the members of the Roscrea Orange Lodge at his residence at Golden Grove, on the 12th July last; whether he was one of the magistrates who, at the next Roscrea Petty Sessions, inflicted heavy sentences of imprisonment upon farmers who were charged with assaulting members of the Roscrea Orange Lodge; whether he is aware that Mr. Toler R. Garvey, J.P., another of the magistrates of the Roscrea District, entertained his brother Orangemen of the Shenione Loyal Orange Lodge at his residence at Thornvale, on the 12th July last; whether lie is aware that another magistrate of the same district, Mr. J. C. Darby, High Sheriff of the King's County, participated in the Orange celebration at Aghancon on the same occasion; whether the conduct of these gentlemen, in the midst of a Catholic community, has been represented to the Lord Chancellor; and, whether steps will be taken to relieve the Catholic majority from the evils of an exclusively Protestant magistracy?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I am informed that there is no Orange Lodge at Roscrea; but that an Orange meeting was held at Mr. Lloyd-Vaughan's residence on the 12th of July. The allegations in the second paragraph of the Question are without any foundation. The facts are that three farmers were charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct, assaulting the police, and beating two inoffensive men—who were not Orangemen, as alleged. The accused pleaded guilty, and light sentences were imposed. Mr. Lloyd-Vaughan was one of the magistrates on the Bench. With regard to Mr. Garvey, I am informed that he left Ireland on the 9th of this 532 month, and has not since returned. It, therefore, cannot be the case that he attended an Orange meeting on the 12th. Mr. Darby attended at the meeting at Aghancon. I do not see any reasons for making any representation about these gentlemen to the Lord Chancellor. The Lord Chancellor has, at the present time, the constitution of the Roscrea magistracy before him, with a view, if possible, to alter its exclusively Protestant character.
§ MR. O'KELLYasked whether, in view of the suppression of Nationalist secret societies, and the imprisonment of their members for long periods, the Government would take steps to suppress the Orange secret societies in Ireland?
§ MR. TREVELYAN, in reply, said, that was a very controversial Question.
MR. O'BRIENasked, was it not a fact that it was sworn to before the magistrates that the two men referred to by the right hon. Gentleman were attacked for being Orangemen?
§ MR. TREVELYANsaid, he would make further inquiry as to that.