§ VISCOUNT CASTLEREAGHOn behalf of the hon. Member for Mid. Armagh, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on July 24th, near the town of Donegal, a number of men of the Connaught Rangers were set upon by a crowd of Nationalists, who roughly handled them, forced them to kneel and curse the King and the British Constitution, and promise not to re-enlist in the Army at the expiration of their term of service; whether the police know the perpetrators of this outrage; and what action is to be taken in the matter.
MR. BRYCEI am informed by the police authorities that two soldiers have reported that on July 24th, near the town of Donegal, they were roughly handled by several men— it would appear not a crowd—but whether these persons were Nationalists or not there is no information. One of the alleged assailants is known, and proceedings are being instituted against him. This being so, it is undesirable that I should enter into the particulars of the case; but, so far as 1607 my information goes, there is no foundation for the matters of fact alleged in the Question, beyond the facts which I have already stated.