HC Deb 03 March 1899 vol 67 cc1223-4
MR. YOUNG (Cavan, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that for some time past the Rev. William Peoples, of St. Clement's Church, Belfast, has been disturbed at his services by an ill-conducted and disorderly number of persons; whether, as appears in the Belfast newspapers of last Monday, the noise and disturbance became so great there on Sunday last that Mr. Peoples felt constrained to send for the police, and to ask the head constable in charge to take the name of a youth who appeared to be a ringleader, and whether any, and what, proceedings have been taken against this youth; whether Mr. Peoples was publicly insulted and groaned at by a disorderly crowd when passing from his church to his residence; whether, again, when going to and from the church at time of evening service, Mr. Peoples had to be escorted by a posse of police; and, whether steps will be taken for the protection of this clergyman from organised mobs incited to attack him?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I am aware of the fact mentioned in the first paragraph; and as to the second paragraph, I would refer the honourable Member to my answer to the Question put to me yesterday on the same subject by the honourable Member for East Mayo. As I then stated, the name and address of the youth who, it is alleged by Mr. Peoples, participated in the disturbance inside the Church were furnished by the police to that Gentleman, but so far Mr. Peoples has not commenced proceedings against him in a Court of Law. It is open to the churchwardens to take proceedings against persons who may disturb the services in this church, and on the occasion of a disturbance of the service the police will, as they have done in the past, clear the church when called upon to do so. It is the fact that Mr. Peoples has been groaned at by a disorderly crowd upon leaving the church, and that he has been escorted by a force of police in going to and from the church. The police are affording him all necessary protection, and this they will continue to do.