HC Deb 19 February 1901 vol 89 cc488-9
MR. O'DOHERTY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, though the City of Londonderry is proclaimed under the Peace Preservation (Ireland) Act, 188], so far as regards the carrying of arms, his attention has been called to the discharge of firearms on the 18th December from the city walls, and of a bomb some months ago into the yard of a house in Wellington Street, in the Roman Catholic quarter of the city, and is he aware that no one was ever made amenable to justice; whether a quantity of explosives of the description used at the Orange celebrations held in Derry City was discovered on the other side of the city walls, which resulted in serious injury to one or two boys of the district; and whether an investigation by the authorities was ever made into the above circumstances; and if so, with what result.

MR. WYNDHAM

There was no discharge of firearms in Deny on the 18th December. On the 11th November a signal rocket, that is to say one of a dangerous character, found under the city wall, exploded and injured a young man. This rocket is believed to have been discharged on the 6th June previously. The occurrences were carefully investigated by the police, but they were unable to make anyone amenable.

MR. O'DOHERTY

Are we to understand that, though the City of Londonderry is proclaimed, the constabulary authorities have no idea of the quantity of arms stored therein?

MR. WYNDHAM

One can hardly call a rocket a firearm.

MR. O'DOHERTY

The right hon. Gentleman did not answer that part of the question which deals with the bomb.

MR. WYNDHAM

I think that the bomb and the signal rocket must be the same. I have heard of no other.

MR. O'DOHERTY

May I ask if the discharge of the bomb in Wellington Street was not inquired into by the magistrate, and was not the discovery of the rocket outside the city walls an altogether different matter?

MR. WYNDHAM

I have done my best to give information. One of these rockets which were discharged on the (5th June last caused injury to the person, and the rocket found on 11th November, to which I have referred, is believed to have been another of those fired on the 6th June. Both occurrences have been carefully investigated by the police.

MR. O'DOHERTY

Have not Orangemen for carrying firearms been fined only one penny each, while Roman Catholics have been subjected to a much more severe penalty?

* MR. SPEAKER

Order, order !

As the hon. Member did not at once sit down—

* MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Gentleman is a new Member, and perhaps is not aware that it is his duty to resume his seat when I rise.