HC Deb 18 February 1884 vol 284 cc1188-9
VISCOUNT CRICHTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he has received any report as to the recent riots at Enniskillen; whether the stone throwing on the occasion was commenced by the Nationalist mob breaking the windows of the Protestant Hall and of the office of the local Conservative newspaper; and, whether, owing to the inaction of the authorities, the town was left at the mercy of the same mob for a considerable period?

MR. TREVELYAN

From the information supplied to me it appears that both the windows of the Protestant Hall and of the local Conservative paper were broken on the occasion referred to. On the 16th of January, two nights afterwards, the mob following the brass band broke the windows of the Nationalist bandroom, and also the windows of prominent members of the National League. This commenced the rioting. I do not think the authorities can be charged with inaction in protecting the town. Their efforts were mainly directed towards preventing a collision between the contending parties.