§ MR. O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is true that, on the 12th of November, the town of Clogher, county Tyrone, was left without police protection; whether the County Inspector is not aware that the presence of a police force is especially necessary on that day, owing to the occurrence of the Hiring Fair in the neighbouring village of Augher; whether, owing to the complete absence of the police, a party of Orangemen took possession of the village, and murderously assaulted some of the Catholic inhabitants; whether a Mr. Hynes was so severely beaten that his life was for a time in danger; whether Mr. Hynes complained to the Constabulary, and asked them to institute proceedings against his assailants, who are well-known members of the Orange Society; whether the Orange magistrates of the district refuse to instruct the Constabulary to prosecute their brother Orangemen; and, whether the Government will send down a Resident 361 Magistrate to inquire into the state of the Clogher district?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANOn the occasion mentioned, four out of the five police stationed at Clogher were sent to Augher—a mile and a-half distant—that being the place where the occurrence of the hiring fair rendered their presence desirable. No such disturbances or murderous assaults as are mentioned in the Question took place. A man named Hynes complained that he had been assaulted; but as the occurrence was of a trivial character and he knew his alleged assailants, the magistrates considered it a case in which he should be left to summons them if he thought fit. I am informed that, as a matter of fact, the magistrates who made this decision are not Orangemen, as stated in the Question. I give this information as it has been supplied to me, though I would not have thought myself bound to make inquiry on this point. I see nothing in these occurrences to necessitate an inquiry into the state of the Clogher district.
§ MR. O'KELLYMay I ask whether these gentlemen ceased to be Orangemen in July last? The right hon. Gentleman has not said whether he will send down a Resident Magistrate to try these cases when they come up, and not leave them in the hands of the local magistrates.
MR. CAMPBELL-BANNEEMANThe hon. Member speaks of "these cases." I have already said there is no case.
§ MR. O'KELLYDid not the right hon. Gentleman state that a prosecution has been directed?
MR. CAMPBELL-BANNEEMANOn the contrary, I said that a man named Hynes, on whom a trivial assault had been committed, had been left to take proceedings himself.
§ MR. O'KELLYDid not the right hon. Gentleman state, in reply to a Question I put in this House, that summonses had already been issued?