§ MR. SLOANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Rev. R. D. Patterson, of St. Barnabas Church, Dublin, has on several occasions complained to the police authorities that divine service in his church has been disturbed by the throwing of stones upon the roof, and that the notice board in front of the church has been damaged; and whether, in view of the fact that this clergyman when walking the public street is followed by persons calling him offensive names, he will explain why no action has been taken by the police upon these complaints.
§ MR. WYNDHAMYes, Sir. Several complaints have been made. The reply which I gave on the 22nd June†was based on reports of communications made to the police by the Rev. Mr. Patterson on the 2nd May and by his Rector, the Rev. Mr. Griffin, on the 5th May. I now find that Mr. Patterson renewed his complaints on the 10th May,
† See(4) Debates, cxxxvi., 812.483 and again on the 28th June. I can assure my hon. friend that the police have been instructed to protect the rev. gentleman from annoyance and that they do their best to carry out the instructions they have received.