HC Deb 23 May 1887 vol 315 cc885-7
MR. M. J. KENNY (Tyrone, Mid)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, By what right, and under what authority, a party of constables, under the command of a Resident Magistrate named Mayne, broke into the private grounds of Mr. W. Moffett, of Dungannon House, on Thursday 19th instant, and attacked with batons a number of persons assembled therein; if, at the same time, and notwithstanding a proclamation signed by certain magistrates and publicly posted up, which warned people not to assemble in Dungannon on that day, an organized crowd gathered at the Railway Station to receive the Rev. Dr. Kane, a prominent Orangeman, who came from Belfast to address a public meeting at Dungannon, and carried out his intention without interference from the police or magistrates; and, if he will state why the measure of toleration extended to Orangemen in the town of Dungannon was refused to Nationalists, who met in a private place a mile distant?

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY (Colonel KING-HARMAN) (Kent, Isle of Thanet)

(who replied)said, he had nothing to add to what the Chief Secretary for Ireland had already said with regard to the prohibition of this meeting at Dungannon. The reason for the interference of the Resident Magistrate was because one of the meetings was being held out-of-doors, on the ground of Mr. Moffett, in defiance of the Proclamation. There was really no attack by batons on the persons assembled, and the meeting was subsequently hold in a building without being interfered with. There was no attempt to hold the other meeting outside. It was held in a building, and there addressed by Dr. Kane. Practically, the same course was adopted with regard to both meetings.

MR. M. J. KENNY

asked, did the Orangemen not proceed in procession from the railway station to the Town Hall, and why was not that prohibited?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

said, the Question on the Paper had only reference to public meetings, and he had answered it.

MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

asked if the right hon. and gallant Gentleman was aware that Mr. Moffett had commenced proceedings against the Resident Magistate for the recovery of £500 for damage done to him on the occasion?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

said, he was not aware of it.

MR. WADDY (Lincolnshire, Brigg)

asked, whether it was not a fact that, although they had been informed that Dungannon was to be proclaimed for both parties, the Orangemen wore allowed to assemble and walk in procession through the street, while the Nationalists were prevented from doing so?

COLONEL KING-HARMAN

said, that both parties had a sort of procession, but one party held their meeting in a building; but the other attempted to hold a meeting in the open, which was prohibited.