HC Deb 20 April 1972 vol 835 cc717-9
Mr. Speaker

I have to inform the House that I have received a letter dated17th April, 1972, from the Resident Magistrate of Enniskillen in the following terms: I have to inform you that Miss Bernadette Devlin, M.P., of Rathbeg, Cookstown was convicted in her absence at Enniskillen Petty Sessions on 17th inst. of the offence set out below and was sentenced to six months imprisonment. The letter goes on to set out the offence in detail and concludes with the words: A warrant of commitment was issued on the 17th April, 1972. I have also to inform the House that I have received a further letter of the same date from the Resident Magistrate of Enniskillen in the following terms: I have to inform you that Mr. Frank McManus, M.P., of 58 Belmore Street, Enniskillen was convicted in his absence at Enniskillen Petty Sesions on 17th inst. of the offences set out below and was sentenced to six months imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently. The letter goes on to list the offences in detail and concludes with the words: A warrant of commitment was issued on the 17th April, 1972. I will cause the whole text of both letters to be printed in the Official Report.

Following are the texts:

Petty Sessions Office,

Courthouse,

Enniskillen.

17th April. 1972.

Dear Sir,

I have to inform you that Miss Bernadette Devlin, M.P., of Rathbeg, Cookstown was convicted in her absence at Enniskillen Petty Sessions on 17th inst. of the offence set out below and was sentenced to six months imprisonment.

The offence was as follows:—

That defendant on the 13th February, 1972 at Kilmacormick, Enniskillen in the County of Fermanagh, knowingly took part in a public procession held in contravention of an order, dated 7th February, 1972, made by the Minister of Home Affairs for Northern Ireland, under Section 2(2) of the Public Order Act (Northern Ireland) 1951, to the effect that the holding of all public processions in any public highway, road or street in Northern Ireland is prohibited for the period commencing on 8th February, 1972 and ending on 8th February, 1973, contrary to Sections 2(4) and 5(2) of the said Act.

A warrant of commitment was issued on the 17th April, 1972.

Yours faithfully,

T. D. H. McC. Elliott, Resident Magistrate.

The Rt. Hon. Selwyn Lloyd, C.H., C.B.E., T.D.,

Q.C., M.P.,

Speaker of the House of Commons,

Westminster,

London, S.W.I.

Petty Sessions Office,

Courthouse,

Enniskillen.

17th April, 1972

Dear Sir.

I have to inform you that Mr. Frank McManus, M.P., of 58 Belmore Street, Enniskillen, was convicted in his absence at Enniskillen Petty Sessions on 17th inst., of the offences set out below and was sentenced to six months imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently.

The offences were as follows:

  1. (1) That defendant on the 13th February, 1972 at Kilmacormick, Enniskillen in the County of Fermanagh, knowingly took part in a public procession held in contravention of an Order, dated 7th February, 1972, made by the Minister of Home Affairs for Northern Ireland, under Section 2(2) of the Public Order Act (Northern Ireland) 1951, to the effect that the holding of all public processions in any public highway, road or street in Northern Ireland is prohibited for the period commencing on 8th February, 1972 and ending on 8th February, 1973, contrary to Sections 2(4) and 5(2) of the said Act.
  2. (2) That defendant on the 13th February 1972 at Kilmacormick, Enniskillen in the County of Fermanagh, did organise a public procession held in contravention of an order, dated 7th February, 1972, made by the Minister of Home Affairs for Northern Ire land, under Section2(2) of the Public Order Act (Northern Ireland) 1951 as amended to the effect, that the holding of all public processions in any public highway, road or street in Northern Ireland is prohibited for the period commencing on 8th February, 1972 and ending on8th February, 1973, contrary to Sections 2(3) and 5(2) of the said Act.
    3. 719
  3. (3) That defendant on the 13th February, 1972 at Kilmacormick, Enniskillen in the County of Fermanagh, did assist in organising a public procession held in contravention of an order, dated 7th February, 1972 made by the Minister of Home Affairs for Northern Ireland, under Section 2(2) of the Public Order Act (Northern Ireland) 1951 as amended to the effect that the holding of all public processions in any public highway, road or street, in Northern Ireland is prohibited for the period commencing on 8th February, 1972 and ending on 8th February, 1973, contrary to Sections 2(3) and 5(2) of the said Act.

A warrant of commitment was issued on the 17th April 1972.

Yours faithfully,

T. D. H. McC. Elliott,

Resident Magistrate.

The Rt. Hon. Selwyn Lloyd, C.H., C.B.E., T.D., Q.C., M.P.,

Speaker of the House of Commons,

Westminster,

London, S.W.I.

Back to