§ MR. KNOX (Cavan, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the case of three men, supposed to belong to the Orange Society, 38 who were, on the 14th instant, at Petty Sessions at Cootehill, convicted of a serious assault upon a Catholic, whom they met alone, and which it was proved was committed for no reason whatever except his religion, and without his having given any provocation; whether he is aware that the prisoners were let off with a fine; and under what head this occurrence will be mentioned in the Returns of outrages in Ireland?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, Manchester, E.)The facts appear to be substantially as stated in the first paragraph. The case was one of common assault dealt with summarily by Magistrates, and will not, therefore, appear in the Return of outrages.
§ *MR. JOHNSTON (Belfast, W.)Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason for believing these men belonged to the Orange Society?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI Lave not made inquiries on that point.
§ *MR. JOHNSTONIt is another slander.
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!