HC Deb 10 April 1902 vol 105 cc1454-6
MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether he can yet state when the prosecution will take place of the Orange rioters at Dromore, County Down; what explanation is forthcoming of the delay in bringing to justice the two men who have been identified; and whether it is intended that the prosecutions will take place under the Criminal Law and Procedure (Ireland) Act.

MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers, may I ask what foundation, if any, there is for the slanderous imputations on the Orange Society, contained in the Question, by the reference to "Orange rioters"?

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON, Londonderry, N.)

I have already stated that the delay in taking proceedings in this case is entirely due to the extraordinary reluctance of the parties most concerned to identify their assailants or give assistance to the police. The papers are now in the hands of the Crown Solicitor, who has been instructed to institute proceedings on a charge of riot, under the ordinary law, against a number of persons at the next petty sessions at Ban bridge on the 17th instant. So far as I am aware, from the information before me, there is no foundation whatever for the statement in the Question that the persons who engaged in the rioting on this occasion were Orangemen.

MR. MACVEAGH

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Normoyle case the Crown prosecuted those who refused to identify the persons supposed to have assaulted them? Why is not the same course taken in the North of Ireland?

MR. ATKINSON

That is absolutely inaccurate and without the slightest foundation.

MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

Is it not a fact that the Chief Secretary, in replying to a Question put by me, stated that two of these persons had been identified?

MR. ATKINSON

Yes, and I have said that they will be prosecuted with others on the 17th inst.

MR. JOYCE (Limerick)

Is it not true that such terrorism is exercised over these people that they are afraid to prosecute?

MR. MACVEAGH

The Attorney General has said that it is absolutely inaccurate that the Normoyles were prosecuted. Were they not, as a matter of fact, sent to prison for contempt?

MR. ATKINSON

Yes.

MR. MACVEAGH

Well, why not take the same course now?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!