§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)): I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the painting of crosses on the walls of the Presbyterian Church at Carntall, county Tyrone, by Orangemen, with the object of intimidating the clergyman of that church for having employed a Catholic mistress in the local national school, was reported by the police as an outrage; if so, whether it is included in the Return of outrages and other offences of an indictable character issued to Members 88 on May 24th, or any preceding Return, and under what heading is it described; if not, can he explain its omission.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe Answer to the first inquiry is in the negative. The painting of the crosses on the church was doubtless intended to indicate disapproval of the appointment of the teacher, but this Act, however objectionable it may have been, does not constitute an indictable offence. The Return referred to includes indictable offences only.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENHad it occurred in the South of Ireland a very different view would have been taken.
§ MR. MACVEAGHWhy was not the case included in the Return under the heading of injury to places of worship, which I notice is blank.
§ MR. WALTER LONGProbably it was not regarded as an injury.