HC Deb 02 August 1909 vol 8 cc1558-60
Mr. DEVLIN

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that in a letter addressed to the Very Reverend Canon Grimes, parish priest of Portadown, the Under-Secretary at Dublin Castle promised, on behalf of the Lords Justices, that ample police arrangements would be made for the preservation of the public peace in Portadown; whether he is aware that on the 11th July a procession of Orangemen, wearing regalia, marched under police protection through an almost exclusively Catholic portion of Portadown to and from a church in the neighbourhood, although the ordinary and direct road to and from the church is much shorter; whether he is aware that on the 13th July Orange drumming parties were allowed to parade through the Catholic district in a provoking manner, cursing the Pope and playing party tunes, under the protection of the police, and that a series of scuffles took place and several persons were injured, and afterwards a number of shots were fired by Orangemen going home through the district, and whether any prosecutions have taken place in connection with these out' rages; whether he is aware that in William-street, where the Catholic church is and where half the population is Catholic, the Orangemen were permitted to erect an arch across the street a few yards from the church and to keep it there until the 14th, to the annoyance of the people attending the church; whether drumming parties, contrary to all precedent, were permitted, under the eyes of the police, to march up and down the street, and to act in an offensive manner opposite the church; whether he is aware of the indignation which has been aroused by these occurrences, taken in conjunction with the treatment of the Catholic procession on 27th June, which was subjected to insult and compelled to detrain at the goods station although they were assured of full protection by Dublin Castle; and whether he will order a searching inquiry into the conduct of the police in this matter and give some guarantee that in future the Catholics of Portadown will enjoy the full measure of protection to which they are entitled by law?

Mr. CHERRY

The reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. I am informed by the police authorities that on 11th July a procession of Orangemen wearing regalia marched through Obin-street, a Catholic quarter of Portadown, to Drumcree Parish Church, following the practice of over 50 years; that on the 13th July Orange bands and drumming parties coming into Portadown from the northern portion of the county proceeded through, among other streets, Obin-street, which is the direct route, and the one which has always been followed. It appears that one band played a party tune, but the police did not hear anyone curse the Pope. On the return journey stones were thrown at the processionists, and a slight scuffle took place, which was at once suppressed by the police. In the evening one shot was fired on the outskirts of the town by the occupants of an isolated car. No one was injured, and, owing to the darkness, no person could be identified. No prosecutions have been commenced. The Orange arch referred to consisted of a rope spanning the street, to which was attached a miniature Union Jack and some bunting. It had no party emblems attached to it, and was further from the Roman Catholic church than in former years. It was put up at the end of the street occupied (with, it is believed, one exception) by Protestants. The police also inform me that it is not a fact that drumming parties paraded up and down William-street, and acted offensively opposite the church. The occurrences of the 27th June have been fully dealt with by my light hon. Friend in his reply to the question asked by the hon. Member on the 28th July. I am not aware of any reason why any inquiry should be held into the conduct of the police, who appear to have acted impartially and with considerable tact, and to have succeeded in preserving the peace in somewhat trying circumstances.

Mr. SHEEHY

Was the extraordinary deafness of the police on this occasion diplomatic?

Mr. CHERRY

I am not aware. All they say is that they did not hear this expression.

Captain CRAIG

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that Portadown is a most peaceful neighbourhood, and that the people live in peace and harmony all the year round?

Mr. CHERRY

That is the general rule I believe. Portadown is very peaceful, but there are two occasions, 12th July and 15th August, which are usually exceptions.

Mr. CONOR O'KELLY

Does the right hon. and learned Gentleman deny that the Union Jack is a party emblem?

Mr. CHERRY

I cannot see how the Union Jack can be considered a party emblem, though it may possibly be turned into a party emblem.