HC Deb 25 August 1893 vol 16 cc1097-8
MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Protestants of Moyross, County Galway, have for some time been subjected to serious persecution; that on the night of the 4th July, 1893, the house of a Scripture reader of the Irish Church Missions was assailed by a party of men, who threatened the inmates and alarmed them; that on the night of Sunday, the 6th August, shots were fired near the parsonage, and near houses of two Protestants; and whether, in consideration of the threats that have been used, he will cause a police station to be established at Moyross for the protection of the Protestants so threatened?

MR. J. MORLEY

The two cases referred to in the question were promptly reported to the Government by the police. No actual violence appears to have been used towards the Scripture reader on the occasion first referred to, and he declines to proceed against the offenders for their threatening language. As regards the outrages on the 6th instant, I am informed by the local police that no intention to injure life or property is believed to have existed. Every exertion has been made to trace the perpetrators. The Constabulary authorities do not, at present, consider it necessary to establish a station at Moyross. The adjoining station at Carna, which is only four miles distant, has been strengthened by drafting in some additional constables, and it is considered that this will suffice to give all the requisite protection by means of increased patrolling.

MR. FOLEY (Galway, Connemara)

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that while the only native Protestant in Moyross, County Galway, lives on the best of terms with his neighbours who deal in his shop, a colony of proselytisers has recently settled in the district; and whether a number of tracts and prints offensive to Catholic worship and practice—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!

*MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)

Would it not be in Order to ask whether religious tracts offensive to Catholics and the Catholic religion had not been circulated in the neighbourhood in question?

MR. SPEAKER

It is a question relating to some local religious squabble, and is not a proper matter to be brought before this House.