§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a regular system of boycotting of Protestants prevails in the neighbourhood of Clough Jordan, County Tipperary, necessitating the formation of a Defence Association to resist it; and when the Lord Chief Baron recently congratulated the Grand Jury at Nenagh on the absence of boycotting in the North Riding of Tipperary, had he been made aware of the state +of matters at Clough Jordan by the police authorities?
§ MR. P. J. O'BRIEN (Tipperary, N.)Before the right hon. Gentleman replies, may I ask if it is not a fact that the relations between the Roman Catholics and Protestants in the district are of the most friendly character; and whether it was not the fact that in the town of Nenagh Protestants constitute a large majority of the tradesmen, that their principal supporters are Nationalists, and that their only complaint is that the local gentry sent to Loudon for their supplies?
MR. J. MORLEYI understand generally, Sir, that the relations between the Roman Catholics and Protestants of North Tipperary are very much as the hon. Member for North Tipperary has described them. The Constabulary authorities inform me that there is no system of boycotting of Protestants prevailing at Cloughjordan. Some years ago partial boycotting was carried out in this locality against two emergency men on an evicted farm, and a shopkeeper in the village who supplied them with provisions, but this ceased in July, 1891. In November, 1892, after the General Election, a Defence Union was established at Cloughjordan, but I have no information as to its special objects. It has imported a blacksmith from Belfast without necessity. A trader named Williams stated that the local blacksmith refused to shoe his horse; this the blacksmith denied, and expressed his willingness to work for him, but Williams declined to employ him any more.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLSeeing that a deputation waited upon me in Dublin some weeks ago, will the right hon. Gentleman pay attention to the Memorial of those who are suffering from this boycotting, of which his police see nothing?
§ MR. JOHNSTONHas the right hon. Gentleman any evidence to show that this good relationship between the Roman Catholics and Protestants in this district has continued since the introduction of the Bill for the government of Ireland?