§ MR. BLANEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland what is the number of persons summoned for the attack on the Catholic bandsmen near Loughgall, County Armagh; if the assailants fired shots on that occasion, and, if so, how many of them were proceeded against for illegal assembly and carrying arms; and how many of the bandsmen have been similarly dealt with?
§ MR. JACKSONNo summonses were issued in connection with the disturbance near Loughgall, County Armagh. As already stated, it was proposed to prosecute some of the most prominent on each side; but, on the representation of the magistrates that it would conduce more to the peace of the district not to proceed further, the proposed prosecutions were dropped. Shots were fired by both parties; but the police were unable to detect any of the persons so concerned with the exception of a member of the band party, from whom a revolver was taken and against whom proceedings are being instituted by the Excise authorities for his being in possession of it without the necessary licence.
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W.)Would it not conduce more to the peace of the district to treat both parties alike?
§ MR. O'KELLY (Roscommon, N.)Is it not a fact that the bandsmen were attacked?
§ MR. JACKSONI do not know about that, but I understand that the disturbance arose from the band proceeding through a quarter where their presence provoked opposition.
§ MR. BLANEDo I understand that though shots were fired by the attacking party and yet there is no ground for prosecution?
§ MR. JACKSONNo summons was issued and no proceedings taken, as I have said, in consequence of representations made by the Magistrates. The hon. Member further asks if shots were fired. I have stated that they were fired, but the police were unable to discover by whom they were fired. The only person they could find out was a bandsman, from whom a revolver was taken.
§ MR. O'KELLYCan the right hon. Gentleman say that the band was proceeding through any place where they had not a perfect legal right to proceed?
§ MR. JACKSONI think if the hon. Member desires further information he had better give notice of his question.