HC Deb 15 August 1901 vol 99 cc932-3
MR. JOHN REDMOND

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that a memorial wreath placed by the Irish National Foresters upon the grave of John Martin, at Donaghmore Churchyard, has been destroyed, and what steps the police have taken to bring the persons who committed this act to justice.

MR. WYNDHAM

The wreath was removed from the grave and the glass case enclosing the wreath was destroyed. The grave was not, however, injured. The police are making every effort to trace the offenders.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

Is it a fact that part of the wreath was hung outside the door of the Protestant clergyman's house, presumably as a protest against his allowing the demonstration in the graveyard?

MR. WYNDHAM

I was not aware of that.

MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTONE (Belfast, S.)

How about the Union Jack being hauled down at the instance of the Irish National Foresters?

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the question on the Paper.

MR. JOHN REDMOND

This is a ease of desecrating a graveyard, and not a question of the Union Jack.