IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 March 1918, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

WAR COUNCIL'S ACTION. TO WRECK THE CONVENTION LONDON, February 27. The "Daily News" Limerick correspondent says that the War Council has taken a strong line in relation to the unsettled conditions in Ireland, and there is no cause for alarm. Arrangements have been made capable of coping with any trouble. Mr. J. E. Duke (Chief Secretary for Ireland) states that the Sinn Feiners commenced disorders hoping to >wreck the deliberations of the Irish Convention, which are at a critical stage. Mr. Duke has written to the Lord Mayor of Cork -that physicial disability due to hunger striking is not a ground for discharge from prison. Ordinary criminals in all parts of Ireland are adopting the hunger strike. • "Freeman's Journal" reports that Mr. Duke is resigning but Mr. -Duke says that he has no statement to make on the subject.

A daring outrage occurred in County Clare on Sunday, typical of the utter disorganisation in the county. Two constables were shot and badly wounded while protecting a family who were Crown witnesses in the Barrymore murder case three years ago. A man named Marrinan was returning from Task with constables escorting him when suddenly six masked men jumped a wall, disarmed and knocked down the constables, and then fired revolvers, wounding the fallen men. The masked attackers escaped, and no arrests have yet been made.