HC Deb 23 July 1908 vol 193 cc308-9
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state why it is that Orange processions and mobs are allowed by the police to march through, the Catholic portions of Portadown, when there are other ways by which they could proceed to their destination; and whether, in the interests of the peace of the town, he will direct that they shall not be allowed to proceed through such quarters in future.

(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The direct route for Orange processions entering Portadown from the northern portion of County Armagh runs through Obin Street, part of which is a Catholic quarter. There are two other routes by which such processions could enter Portadown, but these routes are circuitous and inconvenient. I am informed by the police that the Orange processions have for generations used the direct route, and it is not considered desirable to interfere with the practice. The police take full precautions for the preservation of the peace on such occasions.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the morning of the 13th instant a band of persons paraded the streets of Portadown, cursing the Pope and smashing the windows in a number of Catholic houses; whether the police made any attempt to interfere with these rowdies; whether an attack was also made on a Catholic house in Marley Street, and the door burst in; whether any arrests have been made in connection with these occurrences; and whether any steps will be taken to prevent them in future.

(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The police authorities inform me that the streets of Portadown were continually patrolled by the police from 9 p.m. on 12th to 4 a.m. on 13th July, and that no such conduct as is described in the Question came under the notice of the police or could have occurred without their knowledge, and no complaints were made to them. Special police precautions were taken for the preservation of the peace in Portadown during the July anniversaries, with, I am informed, entirely satisfactory results.