HC Deb 24 July 1893 vol 15 cc316-7
MR. M'CARTAN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the report of the proceedings at the inquest held at Belfast on the body of David Hall, as published in The Irish News of the 19th instant, which shows that the evidence disclosed that, at a special meeting of a certain Secret Society in Sandy Row, Belfast, David Hall, in going through what was called the process of promotion to the order of "the first three steps of Jacob's Ladder," was obliged to ascend blindfolded a short ladder, from which he fell, and that the post mortem examination revealed dislocation forwards of the spine in the neck; and whether he will make inquiry into the matter to see if any steps can be taken to save the members of this Society from the danger to which this mode of promotion exposes them?

MR. J. MORLEY

I am informed by the District Inspector of Police, who was present at the inquest, that the affair was considered an accident, and that no one could he held accountable. The Lodge to which the deceased belonged was, I understand, a temperance gathering.

MR. M'CARTAN

Of what Society?

MR. J. MORLEY

I am not quite sure whether or not it was an Orange Lodge.