HC Deb 31 July 1911 vol 29 cc30-1
Mr. LUNDON

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that, on the nights of the 11th and 12th instant, crowds paraded the Doagh Road, Ballyclare, county Antrim, shouting, singing party songs, and cursing the Pope, and that, when opposite the parochial house, indulged in insulting language, and on the night of the 12th attacked a number of Catholic houses in the neighbourhood, battering the doors and throwing stones, and beating and abusing Catholics who happened to be on the streets; whether he is aware that on the night of the 12th the mob was accompanied by the Protestant curate, with his orange sash on; whether the local sergeant of police declared that the conduct of the mob was disgraceful, but that he could not do anything with them; whether the sergeant is a Methodist preacher; whether he is aware that the Catholics are only one in six of the population; whether any arrests have been made in connection with the outrages on the 11th and 12th; whether any report was made by the local police; and whether steps will be taken to protect in the future the Catholics of the district from insult and attack on account of their religion?

Mr. BIRRELL

The police authorities inform me that on the night of the 11th July, a drumming party marched through Ballyclare, and that on the 12th a band, followed by about 100 persons, paraded the town and halted opposite the parochial house, but no insulting language was used on either occasion. On the night of the 12th, while the police were engaged in one part of the town, a large crowd assembled in another part and kicked or stoned the doors of the houses of four Roman Catholics. The Church of Ireland curate accompanied the crowd, but he had no orange sash on. The local sergeant denies that he made the statement attributed to him. He is a Methodist and has preached occasionally. The Catholics are one in seven of the population. No arrests have been made. A report of the incidents referred to was made by the local police. Special precautions will be taken in future to prevent any annoyance to the Catholic inhabitants of the town.

Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKE

Is it not part of the political creed of the Irish Nationalist party that minorities must suffer?

Mr. SPEAKER

The right hon. Gentleman is not responsible for that.