§ MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the
† See (4) Debates clv., 363.1062 Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the night of the declaration of the poll in the East Tyrone election serious disturbances were caused in Dungannon by crowds of Nationalists, who paraded the streets smashing the windows of many houses in Thomas Street and Market Square; that the police were finally compelled to charge the mob; and that many of the police were hit by stones and other missiles; and what arrests have been made in connection with the disturbance.
§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on Thursday night, July 26th, at Dungannon, a band of Nationalists attempted to invade a Protestant quarter, where they broke a number of windows and did serious damage to the property of Unionists; whether he is aware that the police were pelted with stones and shot at with revolvers, several officers being badly beaten; and what steps are being taken in the matter.
MR. BRYCEI will answer these two Questions together. The facts stated in the first Question appear to be substantially correct. It is not the fact that the crowd attempted to invade a Protestant quarter, because that part was strongly guarded by the police; but volleys of stones were thrown and some windows broken. Some revolver shots appear to have been fired, but whether charged with bullets cannot be ascertained. No one appears to have been hit. Owing to the darkness—the lamps appear not to have been lit—it was found impossible to identifiy the offenders. The magistrates, in order to prevent any further disturbances, issued a proclamation forbidding band-playing and processions in Dungannon yesterday and to-day, these being occasions on which Party processions are usually in the town.
§ MR. MACVEAGHArising out of that, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman, whether the disturbance was not commenced by a shower of missiles being thrown at the Nationalists from a house owned by an Orangeman as they were returning to their own quarters?