§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that a mob broke into the churchyard at Ballinahinch, county Down, and 1090 demolished with sledge hammers the monument erected over the grave of Betey Gray, and also took away the wreaths which had been placed on the grave by various '98 associations from Belfast; and whether inquiries will be made into the matter? I should like to point out that this is a private burying place and not a public burial ground.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI understand that on the night of the 30th ultimo, and again on the following day, a number of men entered the farm of a man named Robert Armstrong, near Ballinahinch, and broke a stone which had been placed, as I am informed, over the spot where one Betsy Gray had been shot in the Rebellion of 1798. I am not aware whether the remains of the deceased woman had ever been buried there, but the place is not a churchyard or graveyard, as suggested in the Question. Armstrong can, of course, prosecute these persons for trespass if he so desires. Wreaths were, I believe, also removed on the occasion. On the information at present in my possession there does not appear to be any ground for action by the Government in reference to what took place on the occasion.
§ MR. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)la there any truth in the statement that the police have the names of the miscreants who perpetrated this abominable outrage, and will there be no prosecution?
§ MR. W. REDMONDIs it not a fact that the stone in question was a monument, which cost £50, and was erected by a relative of the deceased person? Will the right honourable Gentleman see that the police make inquiries into what is regarded in the district as a sacrilegious outrage?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe police have inquired.
§ MR. W. REDMONDWill they now receive an order to make strict inquiry?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThings will, no doubt, take their usual course.