§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 14th and 21st instant attacks were made on street preachers in Cork; that on the latter date a man named Henry Morris, of Jewish per-suasion, was beaten and robbed; and that on mounting a side car the carman refused to drive him; can he state how many arrests were made; and what action, if any, he intends to take to prevent such attacks.
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo attack was made on the preachers on either of the dates mentioned. A large hostile crowd had assembled on each occasion, but the preachers were effectually protected by the police from assault or injury. The painful and deplorable assault committed on Mr. Morris, who is not a preacher, was not witnessed by the police, and he is unable to identify his assailants. No arrests have yet been made in connection with the assault, though vigilant inquiries have been, and are still being, made by the police. The police will continue to afford every possible protection to the preachers.
§ MR. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the unanimous feelings of all religious denominations in the south of Ireland is that street preaching should not be tolerated.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI cannot reply to that.
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Protestants of Cork have strongly protested against this intolerable street preaching nuisance.
§ MR. CREAN (Cork, S.E.)Has the right hon. Gentleman any reason to believe that the man Morris was attacked in consequence of his being a Jew? or it was for a political reason?
§ MR. SLOANIs it not a fact that the citizens of Cork who attempted to rescue this man were themselves molested?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am not aware of the fact. The subject of street preaching has often been discussed in this House and the opinions of the Government are well known.
Several HON. MEMBERSrose to put further Questions, but the SPEAKER declined to allow the matter to proceed further.