HC Deb 06 April 1911 vol 23 cc2409-11
Mr. CHARLES CRAIG

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at Cloughjordan, county Tipperary, on the fair-day about three weeks ago, a party of Gospel preachers were addressing the crowd in the street when the parish priest, the Rev. M. Costigan, came upon the scene and ordered them to desist; that when the preachers paid no attention to him he forced his way through the crowd and struck one of them with his stick or umbrella; that, urged on by the priest's example, someone in the crowd struck one of the preachers a blow with a stone, inflicting a wound on the head; and that two or three policemen were witnesses of the whole proceedings and made no attempt to interfere or to arrest the priest or the man who threw the stone; and will he say whether any arrests have been made since, and what proceedings it is proposed to take against the Rev. M. Costigan?

Dr. ESMONDE

Before the right hon. Gentleman answers this question, may I ask whether these preachers drove from fourteen miles away from another town called Roscrea and forced themselves into a crowd of people who were transacting their business at a fair, and who were entirely Catholic, and whether they made use of words which offended these people very much?

Mr. BIRRELL

I will answer the question on the Paper. The Inspector-General informs me that a party of Gospel preachers addressed the crowd in the streets of Cloughjordan on 13th March. A fair was in progress at the time. The Rev. M. Costigan came on the scene and sent away a few people who were listening to the preachers. He pushed his way through the crowd, but the police who were present did not observe him strike any of the preachers with a stick or umbrella. A crowd gathered, and much excitement prevailed, and one stone was thrown which struck one of the preachers on the temple, inflicting a slight wound, but the police cannot say who threw the stone. No arrests were made, and there is not sufficient evidence for a prosecution. With regard to the question put to me, I think the whole House will agree that a fair in a Catholic community is not quite the place to choose for preaching.

Mr. LARDNER

Is it not the fact that it is the practice of these itinerant preachers in Ireland to address open-air meetings in Catholic districts, while in Protestant districts meetings are held in tents and halls, and whether in the course of these open-air meetings they use grossly and unnecessarily offensive expressions with regard to the Catholic faith?

Mr. BIRRELL

I cannot answer for the usual practice of itinerant preachers.

Mr. MOORE

Will the right hon. Gentleman say that these men who are only preaching the Gospel after all, and are doing what they conscientiously believe to be right, will receive adequate protection, and if he has had other instances of this intolerance brought to his knowledge?

Mr. BIRRELL

I do not think, for a considerable time at all events, I have had my attention called to a disturbance of this kind, but anyone must know that it is impossible to lay down general rules, but the obligation of keeping the peace must be observed by both sides.

Captain CRAIG

Is it denied that this parish priest struck the preacher across the face with a stick or umbrella?

Mr. BIRRELL

Yes; it is denied by the police.

Mr. MOORE

The police did not see it.

Mr. BIRRELL

The rev. gentleman himself also denied it.

Mr. MOORE

He did not say it.

Mr. BIRRELL

It is so at all events.