HC Deb 05 April 1892 vol 3 cc677-8
MR. MAURICE HEALY (Cork) (for Mr. T. M. HEALY, Longford, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether for years past a police hut, containing a sergeant and three constables, has been maintained on a farm at Drumond, Ballytrain, County Monaghan, from which a Protestant farmer named Dandy was evicted over ten years ago; whether there has been any outrages to justify this; and, if so, what were the outrages, and when did they occur; whether he is aware that the sole occupant of the place now is a single young woman, and do the Executive maintain that she requires four policemen to protect her; at whose expense is this done, at whose request, and will it be continued; will he state why the sergeant from this hut habitually parades up and down outside the Catholic chapel during Divine Service, although himself a Protestant, and not brought there on protection duty, and why the same parade was kept up during a recent mission; is the local Protestant church similarly paraded; and as the Catholic congregation resent this action towards themselves, would the Government explain whether there is any greater reason for it at this chapel than at other Catholic places of worship in Ireland?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. JACKSON, Leeds, N.)

The Constabulary Authorities report that the police hut referred to was established in November, 1886, owing to the then lawless condition of the neighbourhood. Meetings had been held for the purpose of intimidating the tenant of the farm referred to, and to induce him to surrender the farm. The only occupant at present is the sister of the tenant. The action of the sergeant is for the purpose of preventing illegal meetings of the local branch of the National League, which has been suppressed. The Constabulary Authorities contemplate the establishment of a permanent police station in the district.

MR. M. HEALY

The right hon. Gentleman has not answerd the fifth paragraph of the question.

MR. JACKSON

The meetings of the League were held in a hall facing the chapel, and it is with a view of detecting attempts to hold illegal meetings that the sergeant has been placed on duty there from time to time. There is no intention to interfere in any way with the chapel.

MR. M. HEALY

The right hon. Gentleman has not said a single word about Sundays. The question relates to Divine Service.

MR. JACKSON

I presume the answer covers that point. Meetings having been held in the hall facing the chapel is the reason for the action of the sergeant.

MR. M. HEALY

Is it suggested that illegal meetings are attempted during the hours of Divine Service?

MR. JACKSON

That I do not know.