V.C. SHOT

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1920, Page 5

V.C. SHOT

IRELAND'S LATEST CRIME. BOLD EXAMPLE OF LAWLESSNESS. *r telegraph.—Press is»n.— ConrrUbt. London, July 18. Fourteen armed and disguised men rushed the smoking-room of the County Club at Cork. The'leader of the gang asked '"Where is he?", upon which a follower pointed put a Victoria Cross winner,. Mr. Caryth, who is divisional commissioner of constabulary in Munster. Revolvers were instantly levelled at Smyth's head, and it was riddled.

Inspector Craig, who was conversing with him, was seriously wounded in one leg. The assailant decamped. The murder of Mr. Smyth was in revenge for a speech, circulated by Sinn Feiners, in which he was saidUo have urged the police to adopt, methods of terrorism and to murder innocent and guilty, promising immunity and support of troops.

Mr. Smyth, who lost his left aim in the war, had repudiated the Sinn Fein re-port.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

CAUSES A SENSATION. MASKED MEN'S SWIFT WORK Received July 19, 8.5 p.m. London, July 18. The Cork County Club outrage caused n sensation. Sjunc masked raiders covered a hall porter with revolvers, while the rest rushed into the smoking room, where there were four men. including Mr. Smyth and Inspector Craig. The raiders for a moment could not see Mr. Smyth sitting in the lounge. Then someone pointed him out, and a shot was fired. Mr. Smyth sprang to his feet and ran to the door, the raiders firing five or six shots, until he eollapsed in the passage. The other occupants of the room were paralysed with horror. The raiders, pocketing their weapons, left the building and scattered. The whole occurrence was over in about thirty seconds. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

FIGHTING FOLLOWS MURDER. CASUALTIES IN STREET EN- ' COUNTERS. Received July II), 11.40 p.m. London, July 1!\ The County Club is an exclusive institution in the hearf of the city of Cork. It is the Carlton Club of Munster. After the murder there was much military activity. Some ex-soldiers came into conflict with troops, and one oxsoldier died after receiving a bayonet thrust, apparently because he failed to answer a challenge. Sinn Fein volunteers then intervened, and six persons were seriously injured in street fighting, while it is reported three soldiers were shot dead. An aromured car assisted the military.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.