HC Deb 31 July 1919 vol 118 cc2247-8
12. Sir JOHN BUTCHER

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the boycotting of a farmer, Thomas Haslam, of Ballycarney, Maryborough; whether his gates and fences and the windows of his house have been broken, and his cattle turned into the standing crops; whether he himself has been boycotted; whether he has been compelled, owing to this persecution, to sell his farm and leave the district in which he has lived all his life; whether the persecution to which he has been subjected is due to the fact that a Catholic girl in his employ recently married a Protestant; and whether he will cause inquiries to be made?

The ATTORNEY-GENERAL for IRELAND (Mr. Denis Henry)

The facts are substantially as stated in the question. There was, however, no actual boycotting, but Mr. Haslam was subjected to persecution from relatives.

Sir J. BUTCHER

Are we to understand that this persecution is due to the fact that a girl in the employment of Mr. Haslam married a Protestant?

Mr. HENRY

I understand that the difficulty arises largely through a family quarrel between Mr. Haslam and some of his relatives.

Sir J. BUTCHER

And is that family quarrel due to the fact that this Catholic girl married a Protestant?

Mr. HENRY

I really could not say, but I will inquire.

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