HC Deb 23 May 1898 vol 58 cc387-9
MR. P. O'BRIEN (on behalf of the honourable Member for East Clare)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if Ids attention has been called to a serious riot caused by Orangemen in Ballinahinch on the 12th instant, when hostile demonstrations were indulged in towards the Roman Catholic residents, and windows broker in the houses of Mr. O'Donnell, Mrs. M'Alea, Mr. Patrick Boyd, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Russell, and Mr. Keenan, and plate-glass windows were smashed on the premises of Mr. James Murray, J.P., and damage done to the extent of £70 or £80 worth of property; whether he is aware that Mr. H. A. Campbell, a recently appointed J.P., was present with the rioters while Roman Catholic houses were being wrecked; and whether he will be called upon to explain his conduct; and whether the Government will cause strict inquiries to be made, and the parties responsible for the riot at Ballinahinch to be prosecuted?

MR. MCCARTAN

I beg at the same time to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, with reference to the disorderly proceedings at Ballinahinch, county Down, on the 12th instant, whether he can now give further details as to the damage done, the cause of the disorder, the number of persons present in the row, and the number of persons arrested on the occasion?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

On Tuesday last I replied to a question addressed to me on this subject by the honourable Member for South Down. The names of the Roman Catholic residents whose property was injured by the mob on the occasion are correctly set forth. I have no information to the effect alleged with respect to Mr. Campbell, but I am making inquiries. A crowd of about 1,000 persons, with six bands, was present in the town on the arrival of the two members of the Orange Party, who had been discharged earlier in the day from Belfast Prison, where they had been incarcerated on a charge of drunkenness and disorderly conduct. The primary object of the assembling of the mob wag to give the discharged prisoners a reception. Proceedings have been instituted against 13 persons for riot, and I am informed that the cases against these persons were adjourned at Petty Sessions on Wednesday until the 30th instant.

MR. W. JOHNSTON

May I ask if the Tight honourable Gentleman will cause strict inquiry to be made into the origin of the riot and the action of the police?

MR. DILLON

Can the right honourable Gentleman explain why the same principle of police administration is not practised in West Mayo as at Ballinahinch?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

That does not arise out of the question.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

Will the inquiry extend to the alleged participation of Mr. Campbell, J.P.?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The inquiry will embrace all points.