HC Deb 08 May 1905 vol 145 cc1140-3
MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, on Easter Monday last, an Orange band from Coalisland attempted to go through the Catholic quarter of Portadown; that the police available at the time would have been helpless in the event of a riot; and that, at the time the Orangemen were endeavouring to enter the Catholic quarter, the district inspector was absent, and there was no one in charge of the police; and whether, seeing that year after year crowds of Orangemen assemble in Portadown for the purpose of attacking the Catholics there, and that there are but two alternative routes, viz., by Montague Street and Charles Street, or the walk by which Orange processions and bands could proceed through Portadown without entering the Catholic quarter, and in view of the conduct of these mobs and the rioting to which they almost invariably lead, he will issue an order prohibiting such assemblies from marching through the Catholic quarter of the town; and whether, in view of the fact that a Catholic named Faloon was shot dead in Portadown on Easter Monday, he will issue special instructions with regard to the possession of firearms in the district.

MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this Question I should like to draw attention to a sentence in it declaring that year by year Orangemen assemble in Portadown for the purpose of attacking the Catholics there. I submit that the conclusion of that sentence is an abuse of the rules of the House. In the first place it is quite untrue.

* MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

The Question had better be answered.

MR. CHARLES CRAIG

I submit it is an infraction of the rules of the House to make an assertion of that kind, and I ask for your ruling.

* MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

My attention has only recently been drawn to the sentence and I certainly think it is unfortunate that it appears in the Question.

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

It is the principal point of my Question.

MR. WALTER LONG

I can only answer as to the facts. It is obvious that the assertion referred to is based on pure matters of opinion, as to which 11 can have no information. The Coal-island band marched into Portadown by the direct and customary route, which happens to pass through a Catholic locality. A force of thirty police under a head constable was present for the preservation of the peace, but I am glad to say that no disturbance arose. The district inspector was present in the town, in general charge of the police arrangements. The practice of these processions in marching by the route in question is one of long standing, and no change in the practice appears to be necessary. The unfortunate murder of the man Faloon was in no way connected with, any sectarian disturbance. The man charged with the murder is believed to be insane. The incident does not afford sufficient grounds for prohibiting the possession of firearms in the district.

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

On what evidence does the right hon. Gentleman say that the man who committed this I base assassination, which I claim was political, was not sane?

MR. WALTER LONG

I said the man was believed to be insane.

MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)

By whom?

MR. WALTER LONG

That is the information I have received.

MR. WILLIAM MOORE

Is it in order to discuss a case which is sub judice?

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

And is it in order for the Chief Secretary to state that a man now awaiting his trial is insane?

* MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

If a case is sub judice it is not in order to discuss it.

MR. WILLIAM MOORE

Then it ought not to have appeared in the Question at all.

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when this murderer was driven through the streets of Portadown he was cheered by the mob? How can the right hon. Gentleman say it was not a sectarian murder?

* MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the accused man is not a member of the Orange order?

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

On what does the right hon. Gentleman base his statement that the man is insane?

MR. WALTER LONG

I only said he was believed to be insane.

MR. DILLON

By whom?

* MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

ruled that notice should be given of the Question.

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

Why do the Orangemen go into this district if not for the purpose of attacking the Catholics?

* MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER

stopped further Questions by calling on the next one on the Paper.