§ MR. PATRICK A. M'HUGHI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been called to a report in the London Standard of the 13th September 1895, from which it appears that a man named Colin Arthur Harn, of Penton Place, Newington, was fined 40s. at the prosecution of the police for creating an obstruction at South Place, Kennington Park, by speaking in the street; whether he is aware that the presiding magistrate, Mr. Hopkins, informed defendant that 1234 he would not be allowed to speak in the streets, as he could not do so without creating an obstruction; is he aware that certain persons known as street preachers have recently occasioned serious obstruction in the streets of Sligo by attempting to speak therein; and will he instruct the police in Sligo to enforce the law in that town as it is enforced in London?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have not seen a report of the proceedings in the case specially referred to in the question. I am aware that for some time past religious services have been conducted in the streets of Sligo, and that arising out of these open-air services acts of violence have been committed. As to the legality of the services, I would observe that street-preaching perse is no offence by common or statute law, but that if in the practice of it an obstruction of the highway is caused, an illegal act is committed. The police have been instructed to prevent disorder and obstruction of the thoroughfare in Sligo, as in other parts of Ireland where street-preaching has been practised, and this duty they will continue to discharge.