§ MR. BLANEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that a band from Portadown, intending to visit Armagh on 17th March, were threatened with assault if they proceeded by road to that city, and that, although they asked the protection of the authorities through Captain Slacke, the Divisional Magistrate stationed at Dundalk, they were refused protection; also that the windows of a number of Catholics in Portadown were broken by a mob on 17th March; and how many of the rioters were proceeded against by the police?
§ MR. JACKSONThe Constabulary Authorities report that it is the case that the band referred to applied for protection. The Divisional Commissioner and the Local Magistrates met in consultation, and unanimously decided that in the interest of the peace of the district police support should not be given to the proposed demonstration. Windows were broken in six houses occupied by Roman Catholics and in one house of a Protestant. There was no demonstration, no rioting.
§ MR. JACKSONI have said the Constabulary Authorities report there was no rioting.