HC Deb 07 February 1884 vol 284 cc177-8
MR. O'SHEA

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the protest made on the 31st January by the Rev. P. White, Parish Priest of Miltown Malbay, county Clare, and President of the local branch of the National League, against the attendance of the police (acting under the orders of their superiors) at the meetings of the branch; and, whether the meetings of Orange Lodges have likewise been placed under police supervision?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, I have seen a report of the proceedings referred to. The police were present in discharge of their duty and in compliance with special instructions, and the chairman of the meeting, as stated in the Question, objected to their presence. No general instructions have been given to the police to be present at indoor meetings of the National League, and no instructions have been given to place Orange Lodges under police supervision.

MR. KENNY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the police attend the meetings of the branch of the National League in Miltown Malbay and do not attend meetings of other branches in the County Clare; and, if so, can he say whether the police are acting on their own responsibility or on the orders of Mr. Jenkinson?

MR. PARNELL

I wish to ask the right hon. Gentleman, arising out of the closing part of his answer with reference to the absence of general instructions to the police to attend meetings of Orange Lodges, Whether any special instructions have been given during the tenure of Office of the right hon. Gentleman to the police to attend any meeting of any Orange Lodge in Ireland?

MR. TREVELYAN

I may, perhaps, be allowed to say that there is no record of any such instructions to my knowledge.