SINN FEINERS' ATTACK ON LORD FRENCH

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 76, 23 December 1919, Page 7

SINN FEINERS' ATTACK ON LORD FRENCH

A CAREFULLY PREPARED AMBUSH SINISTER INDICATION OF IRISH PEOPLE'S TEMPER OUTRAGES PLANNED WITH IMPUNITY (PyTclegrapli-Prcss Association-Copyright (Uec. December 22, 7.15 p.m.) London, December 19. A detailed account of the attempt to assassinate Lord French states that tht Viceroy was returning to Dublin from | Drumdoc Castle, Roscommon, lie irt't Ash town Station in a motor-car, which happily had armoured sides. He was accompanied by an aure-de-eamp and a lady. Two motor-cars followed, and lastly a military guard, which had barely left the station when (he shooting commenced. An empty, horseless farmcart was drawn partly across the road in an attempt to stop the Vice-Regal car, and behind the cart a young man was seen throwing bombs. Other Sinn Feiners were shooting from llio high walls and hedges on either side which gave excellent cover to the ambuscade. The motor-oar swerved to avoid the cart and half pulled up. It was immediately i\iade the mark for a number of bombs flung from Ihe sides of the road, five bursting near it. Many bullets glanced off (he armoured sides of the ; motor-car, and the bombs made deep holes in the roadway and wrecked the second motor-car. The occupants of the motor-cars opened fire in every direction and promptly brought down the man who was throwing bombs from tho farm-cart. As ho lay on the ground two Sinn Peiners dashed out and endeavoured to drag the body away; but they were driven off by shots from the escort, who meanwhilo had rushed up and commenced firing. The dead man had been drinking at a neighbouring publichouse, and had arranged to 'be called when Lord French's motor-car approached. He ran from the publichouse, leaving a grass of port untouched, and at once commenced throwing bombs. A few moments inter he was dead, with bullets in the neck and head. When picked up tho dead man was still clenching a grenade in his right hand, and had automatic pistols in his pockets. Meanwhilo the Viceroy's motor-car passed the obstacle, went on at full speed, and reached the Vice-Regal Lodge. An ominous fact was that the men were loitering on tho spot for a considerable lime without attracting attention. Shortly before the shootfng they warned Consta'blo loughlin. who wa,s on duty at tho crossroads, t'o keep clear, as his life was endangered. Constablo Loughlin disregarded the warning, and was trip,ied up. He was still lying on the ground when he was wounded by a bullet. Detective llalley, who was sitting in front of Lord French's motor-car, was twice wounded. The impunity with which outrages are planned and carried out gives a sinister indication of tho temper of fho Irish people.—Ams.-N.Z. Cable Assn.