§ MR. JOHNSTONI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received information concerning the ill-treatment last Sunday, at Arklow, of the Protestant clergyman; whether the police have instructions to prevent open-air preaching in that town; and whether there is any existing law which prohibits such preaching in Ireland under British rule?
§ * MR. JACKSONMy hon. Friend appears to have been misinformed as to the facts of this case. There is no law prohibiting open-air preaching in Ireland. The action of the police in this matter has been solely for the purpose of preventing the assembling together of people in the streets under circumstances likely to lead to a breach of the peace, and to cause an obstruction of the highway.
§ MR. SEXTONHas not the rev. gentleman referred to been already committed to prison by a competent Court for obstructing the public thoroughfare?
§ * MR. JACKSONWell, Sir, I believe the fact is that he was ordered to pay a fine, and in default of payment he was committed to prison.