§ MR. McCARTAN (Down, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Sunday last there was a repetition of the disturbances in St. Clement's Church, Belfast, and that the constabulary had to be called in to remove or order out the disturbers from the church; whether he is aware that a most disorderly mob pursued the Rev. Mr. Peoples on his way from the church to his residence, and that a stone fired from the crowd went through a window of his residence and seriously injured in the face a young lady who was in the room: and whether some steps will be taken to protect this 285 clergyman from the disorderly rabble in the performance of his duties?
§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)At the same time may I ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Sunday last a stone was thrown through a window in the house of the Rev. Mr. Peoples, in Belfast, and that the stone struck a lady who was sitting in the house; and whether the offender has been brought to justice?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe facts are generally as stated in the two Questions of the honourable Members for South Down and East Mayo. A large force of police is employed in protecting Mr. Peoples, and the authorities will continue to afford him every necessary protection. The person who threw the stone that struck one of the inmates of the house has not yet been made amenable.
§ MR. DILLONDoes the right honourable Gentleman think there was the necessary protection when a lady was struck in the face with a stone?
§ [No Reply.]
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLOh, they are Orangemen.