IRISH AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 March 1918, Page 4

IRISH AFFAIRS.

DEFIANT YOUTHS. PUNISHED FOR. CONTEMPT OP COUKT. ' London, March 1, Eight youths, charged at the Sligo Courthouse with participation in an u'nhiwful assembly, refused to remove their hats, began smoking and sang Irish freedom songs. Tiie. Magistrate demanded an apology, but one said he did not pay any regard to a.ny representative of the British Constitution. The Magistrate imposed a sentence of seven ilavs for contempt, of pourt. Tho prisoners thereupon threw themselves on the floor, and while Ihe police were attempting to remove them the crowd in court liecame threatening and a detachment of military was summoned. The prisoners were carried out to a lorry and removed to gaol amidst scene of great excitement. CONTINUED LAWLESSNESS. FARMERS' HOUSES FIRED AT., Received March 3, 5.5 p.m. London, March 2. Lawlessness continues in the West and South of Ireland. There arc numerous raids for arms, cattle driving and seizure of land, but the military now controt ' County Clare. Civilians are not allowed out after nightfall. A party of moonlighters in Galway fired nine shots at a farmer's house, and similar outrages have taken place elsewhere. The Sinn Feiners are also pub' licly burning American flags. Michael Hrennan, styling himself the general commanding the forces of the frifh Kepubli" in County Clare, has hcin arrested. He has been accustomed to travel the district in khaki uniform, ORDER RESTORED IN CLARE, United Service. Received March 3, 5.20 p.m. London, March 2. The Daily Mail's Funis correspondent stales that, the magic touch of authority has restored order in Clare and ill lawlessness has disappeared.