§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, on March 15th, several cannon were fired from the Orange Hall, Coagh, during hours from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m., and that the firing was continued until the evening of St. Patrick's Day; did the police report the circumstance; what was the purpose of the cannonade; if it was intended to annoy and outrage the Catholic residents in the village; and will such a practice be permitted in future.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) Occasional revolver or gun shots, not cannon shots, were fired on the nights of March 15th and 16th, and two or three during the day on March 17th. The police reported the circumstance. The purpose of the firing is not known, but it probably had some connection with the Party celebrations associated with that time of year. The practice of firing shots in a spirit of bravado, which is not confined to one Party, is an objectionable one, and the police do their utmost to prevent it. The offenders in this instance are not known.