Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he is aware that in the town of Dunamanagh, county Tyrone, the Protestants have for fifty years past erected arches on Orange anniversaries, that the Nationalists have never erected any on their anniversaries, that the town is owned by Protestants, except for the publican and the national schoolmaster; whether, seeing that there has never been any breach of the peace in connection with these arches during fifty years, he will explain why the Government, at the request of the Nationalists, drafted seventy police into the town to prevent these arches being put up this year; and why in all other parts of Ulster the usual practice has not been interfered with?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe Inspector-General informs me that in the village referred to the population is about half Protestant and half Catholic. I understand that for the past thirty years the former have erected arches on the occasion of Orange anniversaries. On 17th March last the Catholics proposed to erect arches, but the Orange party objected, and the Irish Government, in the interests of public peace, prevented the proposal being carried out. This course was also adopted for the same reason on 12th July last. The Irish Government acted with strict impartiality on both occasions.
Captain CRAIGIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that for fifty years there have been no disturbances in this particular locality in connection with these celebrations? Why does he anticipate any in 1910?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYWe had local reports to the effect that the action now being taken was likely to lead to a breach of the peace this year.
Captain CRAIGCan the right hon. and learned Gentleman cite a single instance in Ireland of any outrage worth talking about arising out of these celebrations? Why should he interfere with the custom of fifty years in this particular locality?