§ Mr. BRADYasked whether during the last two years any special force of Dublin metropolitan police have been posted outside a Church of Ireland church on Sundays to prevent disturbance; and, if so, whether the disturbance apprehended was from Roman Catholics?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Chief Commissioner of Police informs me that it has been necessary occasionally to post some police outside one particular church 1212 belonging to the Protestant Church of Ireland in the hon. Member's constituency on Sundays, owing to a controversy as to the conduct of the service. This controversy was not of a kind to excite the least interest among Roman Catholics.
§ Mr. MOOREIs it a Standing Order of the Metropolitan police that a constable shall be on duty at each of the various churches during service every Sunday?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo; it is the habit of the police everywhere to be stationed out side all large congregations in order to secure them quiet during their service from noisy boys and other persons of that sort?
§ Mr. STEPHEN GWYNNIs there any ground for the statement publicly made in a review this month by the hon. Member (Mr. Moore) that Protestant churches in Dublin need to be protected against disturbance by Roman Catholics?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo. No policemen whatever are placed outside any churches in Dublin in apprehension of the congregation being disturbed by Roman Catholics.
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo; they are placed there in the ordinary course that policemen are placed wherever congregations of persons are likely to be called together.
§ Mr. MOOREDoes the right hon. Gentleman state that in other parts of Ireland there are policemen outside Protestant churches during service?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not say anything as to that, but in all large towns in England, Scotland, and Ireland it is the duty of the police to pay attention to large congregations of people.