§ 23. Mr. RONALD M'NEILLasked the Chief Secretary whether he has been informed that, on Sunday, 28th July, two 2234 Protestants, named respectively Farren and M'Neill, were set upon by Nationalists in Belfast while they were proceeding to the docks to go aboard a steamer, and that they were kicked and injured so severely that they had to be taken to the hospital; that two other Protestants, named respectively Shields and Atkinson, were similarly attacked by Nationalists on Monday, 29th July, in the streets of Belfast, with the result that they also had to be removed to hospital; and whether any arrests have been made in connection with either of these outrages?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police inform me that on the 28th July a fireman named Fanning, who was on his way to his ship, and two companions named Fanning and MacNully were assaulted. They were taken to hospital, but were not detained, as their injuries were not serious. Warrants have been issued for the arrest of their assailants. The men attacked were Protestants, but I cannot say what was the motive of the assault. That will no doubt be brought out in Court. On the 29th, while the police wore taking two drunken and disorderly prisoners to barracks, a crowd collected and two men named Shields and Atkinson, both Protestants, were assaulted. Both were treated in hospital but were not detained. They could not identify their assailants, and the police were too fully occupied with their prisoners to make any arrests. Atkinson is a stranger of the tramp class.