HC Deb 07 May 1902 vol 107 cc947-8
MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state if any Roman Catholics were attacked on Christmas morning near the Teagny Orange Hall at Annaghmore, county Armagh.

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

It is now alleged, for the first time, that stones were thrown at two Roman Catholics at Annaghmore last Christmas. The occurrence, if it happened at all, was not regarded, apparently, by the persons most concerned as having any significance, since they made no complaint whatever to the police on the matter.

MR. WILLIAM JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

Has the hon. Member for South Down got Orangemen on the brain?

MR. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the nature of the injuries received by the Roman Catholics who were attacked and beaten at Annaghmore, county Armagh, on the 17th ult.; whether a report has been called for from Dr. Marmion, J.P., who was called in to attend to some of the wounded; and whether the Roman Catholic clergymen and leading Roman Catholic laymen of the district have been consulted as to the necessity for the taking of steps for the more efficient protection of their lives and property.

MR. ATKINSON

With the exception of the last query, the reply to which is in the negative, an answer on the several other queries would involve the expression of an opinion on facts in issue in a pending prosecution. For this reason, therefore, I must respectfully decline to answer them.