IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3616, 1 November 1920, Page 5

IRISH AFFAIRS.

McSWBENEY'S FUNERAL. '■: ; LONDON, Oct. 30. When the harbour pilots at Cork refused to handle the steamer Rathmore, the sailors transferred the coffin to a Government tug. As th§ tug: left the quay a crowd of two thousand' fell on their knees ana recited prayers for the dead, led by the Bishop of Cloyne. The tug arrived at Cork Customhouse pier at 4 o'clock. . An enormous crowd lined the Quays and bridges.. No effort was made to iemove the body, which remained en the deck under a tarpaulin, surrounded by wreaths. Neither the military nor the civil authorities chose to do anything until tne relatives arrived in a train from Dublin. Several lorry loads of armed men came to guard the vessel against a possible Sein Fein rush. At 9 o'clock the remains were transferred to the pier, where relatives took charge. The coffin was borne on the shoulders of Irish Volunteers to-the City Hall, where it lies in state until Sunday morning, when it will be removed to t.he Cathedral.

Apparently the relatives would have continued to defy the authorities, but were informed that unless the coffin was removed at 9 o 'clock it would be taken to the barracks and buried ttere'. The warning had immcdi&Te effect. ; \

"{The authorities, prior to the postponement, had prohibited the wearing of Republican army uniform, arthlets ox-badges, 9»d stated-tbat they would not permit Republican flags except on the coffin. Whenever the funeral occurs, troops wltl be posted along t»e route. They will not interfere r.vlth general mourners or the obsequies provided the aforestaid conditions arc observed. They Save also b«en instructed to avoid anything which might ne construed into provocation.

IMPOSING / CEREMONY AT . CORK.

Received 9.10 a.m

LONDON, Oct. 31. McSweeney's body was transferred to the Cathedral, and the Bishop of Cork received, the remains. Mass was solemnised at iioon in the presence of a representative congregation. Excellent •osder was maintained in the streets, despite the enormous crowds, volunteers regulating the traffic. The military took up their positions and police were stationed at .various points along the seven-mile route, which was thickly'Jined ,with people as far as St. Fifibar's Cemetery"."" The procession mas simple, but impressive, and complied with the military regulations. Aeroplanes hovered overhead on observation duty, and armoured cars were in attenrance for the military. The chief mourners were McSweeney's brothers. Volunteers in civilian dress ; lining the route wo to mourning ! badges.

THE GRANGE INCIDENT. MILITARY PATROL AMBUSHED. THREE DEAD; THREE WOUNDED. .!'.. LONDON, Oct. 30. Details of the Grange (Sligo) incident on the 25th inst. show that a patrol of nine were cycling when 100 disguised men, lying in ambush 300 yards along the hillside in concealed trenches with look-holed walls, opened fire at 25 yards, using British service rifles.* They shot two constables "dead. Sergeant Warry ordered the survivors to take cover and return the fire. He then fell shot through the heart. The police opened fire at the hidden enemy, some of whom were wounded. An expanding bullet hit Constable Kcown in the throat. Constable Clark was twice wounded. The fire was directed by a little group in the rear and flank, and as the men' fell the enemy drew nearer. Out of nine, three are dead and three wounded. Ten assailants wore khaki uniforms and trench helmets.