The Morning Star And Catholic Messenger

THE POLICE OUTRAGE IN GALWAY.

The Galway correspondent of the Freeman, of a recent date, says:

The announcement yesterday in the Freeman that His Grace, the Lord Lieutenant, had returned from Scotland has renewed the indignant popular feeling created by the extraordinary conduct of the constabulary authorities in sending Catholic members of the force, in colored clothes, to the different Catholic churches and chapels in this city to report to their superiors what should be said by the clergy in addressing their congregations. It is known very well that the Most Rev. Dr. McEvilly, the esteemed Lord Bishop of Galway, addressed a strong remonstrance to His Grace, the Lord Lieutenant, demanding an inquiry, and, of course, asking that due reparation should be made for the insult thus offered to the clergy and Catholic community of Galway. The occurrence attracted general attention throughout the country at the time, and the excitement was so great that, had the misguiding action of the constabulary authorities been repeated, there is hardly a doubt that it would have led to a serious breach of the peace, or worse, to a mutiny amongst the members of the force, who must have felt keenly the indignity imposed on them in sending them to discharge detective duties of such an odious character. The occurrence, meaningless and offensive as it was in its character, has led people to investigate the constitution of the Constabulary force in this, one of the most Catholic cities in the Empire. In 1871 the population of the county of the town of Galway was 19,843. The Catholics numbered 18,586; The Protestant Episcopalians, 915: Presbyterians, 172: Methodists, 97; "all other denominations" 73: so that the Catholic population stands as 15 to 1 of all other denominations taken together. Now, let us consider the distribution of the force appointed by the Government for the preservation of the peace in our community. The resident magistrate is a Protestant, the county inspector of constabulary is a Protestant, the sub inspector of constabulary is a Protestant, the head-constable of constabulary is a Protestant, and the constables in charge of all the important stations in the county of the town—Barna, Salthill, Dominick street and Oranmore, are Protestants. This state of things requires no comment, and it is hardly to be wondered at that, when Catholic members of the force were sent to act as spies on their clergy, it should evoke loud and deep popular indignation. Much anxiety is felt as to what action the Lord Lieutenant will take upon the Bishop's complaint, whether or not His Grace will order the inquiry asked for. I am bound to add that a general feeling prevails, from the high character of the Duke of Marlborough, that he will give due weight to the Bishop's remonstrance, and that he will visit with his displeasure the parties who have so wantonly outraged the feelings of the Catholic community, and the members of the constabulary force under their command.