HC Deb 17 July 1896 vol 43 cc35-6
Mr. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)

On behalf of the hon. Member for North Louth (Mr. T. M. HEALY), I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that an Orange party, after the recent celebrations, set fire to the Sheepbridge (County Down) National Hall, and that the hall has been totally destroyed; and whether the Government intend taking any action in the matter?

Mr. GERALD BALFOUR

I am informed that the Sheepbridge National Hall consists of a small thatched cabin, which is rented for the sum of £2 a year, and that on the morning of the 14th instant the thatch was destroyed by fire. An Orange demonstration was held near Newry, about three-and-a-half miles distant from the scene, on the day preceding the fire, but I have no proof before me that the burning was perpetrated by Orangemen. The owner of the cabin intends to lodge a claim for £60 compensation for the injury to the cabin. The police are using every endeavour to trace the perpetrator of the burning.

Mr. MACALEESE

Does the right hon. Gentleman think it any mitigation of the outrage that the hall was of little value?

* Mr. SPEAKER

Order, order!