TRAGIC DUBLIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1920, Page 5

TRAGIC DUBLIN.

STAMPEDE AT THE PARK, j FOOTBALL CROWD FIRED ON. j JVOMEN AND CHILDREN TRAMPLED j Bj Telegraph.— Preij Assn.—Copyright Received Nov. 23, 8.20 p.m. London, Nov. 23. the official version of the Croke Park sooting 3 states it had been arranged mat when the ground was surrounded a ™ ,?® cer should proceed to the centre of toe field and megaphone to the crowd announcing that a search would be made, there would be no danger if the peopl# stood still, but armed pickets nred on the Crown forces before the utter were able to approach the ground. The firing caused a stampede. It is also believed persons within the ground i fired shots to provoke a stampede, hoping to escape during the confusion. An unofficial account states the playing area was surrounded by a ten foot I fence, the grandstand taking up the entire length of one aide, with high banks j on the three other sides, one of which Was blocked by a thirty foot wall. An examination revealed pools of blood on the banks and in the grandstand, and there were trails of blood where the wounded had crawled. The military did not participate in the firing, which was confined to auxiliaries. When the firing began thousands fled hither and thither along the banks, or ■warmed Into the field. Women and children screamed and were trampled underfoot, while men and women fainted. Others prayed as they ran. Some spectators deny there was any firing tintil the "black and tans" entered the ground. The club officials deny any pickets were posted. One account states a thirty-foot wall was pitted with bullet marks to a man's height. The players were subjected to a.severe fire, and bullets skipped the field as the players crawled to covtr. One player was killed, his body covering two others. A policeman says shots were fired ontaide before the auxiliaries appeared, and a woman living at the entrance to the grounds says she heard shouts of "they're coming," and saw the roadway filled with rushing ''black and tans," •who scrambled over the turnstiles. She did not hear shots until they entered the park. She declares a cadet told her it wgs a reprisal for the juorning's murders. % A ground official states that when he saw the auxiliaries coming he and other 3 warned the crowds • The auxiliaries lined up along the bank and fired volleys at the panic-stricken crowd. Some swarmed over the palings at the back, and most became contused, struggling in a mass along the high- wall, and they made ah easy target. It is estimated the crowd numbered fifteen thousand. The father of a dead boy says he died of a bayonet wound.— Au«--N.Z. Cable Assn. MUCH STREET FIGHTING. ' SCENE IN THE HOUSE. London, Nov. 22. Dublin passed a panicky Sunday night. There was much street fighting between the Crown forces and volunteers. Several volunteers were captured and numerous raids and arrests effected. Brief reports from Dublin indicate that there was a good deal of shooting after midnight. A number of people were killed. In the House of Commons, Sir Hamar Greenwood read details of the murder of 13 officers, which deeply impressed the Hoose. Mr. Lloyd George promised to ask the House for the powers necessary to stop the campaign of murder. Sfr. Devlin attempted to speak, but was pulled down by Major Molson (CoUnionist). A noisy scene followed, and the Speaker suspended the sitting. After Sir Hamar Greenwood's detailed itatement regarding the Dublin murders, which made a deep impression on the crowded House, Mr. Devlin attempted to speak, bat members, angry and excited, shouted him down. Answering a private question, Mr. IJoyd George said he shared the general horror at these cold-blooded murders, but the Government was convinced, despite recent occurrences, that the Irish authorities were gradually breaking up ijie gangs of assassins. If experience jtfiowed that the Government's powers were insufficient he would ask the House for further powers. Mr. Devlin, amid shouts of "Sit down," asked why nothing was said about the appearance of military forces on the football field and the indiscriminate shooting, in which ten were killed This question was followed by renewed shouts of "Sit down." Mr. Devlin retorted to the cry to sit down with "I won't." _ Sir H. Greenwood said he was prepared to answer a question. Mr. Devlin, however, again rose and continued standing, until Major Molson, who svas sitting behind, seized Mr. Devlin round the neck, and attempted to drag him over the bench. An ugly scene followed, Mr. Devlin struggling violently. Another member attempted to put Mr. Devlin in his seat, when a number of Labor members, headed by Mr. J. Jones, went to Mr. Devlin's assistance. During the height of the struggle Mr. Devlin was heard shouting: "Is this English courage, English chivalry? Six hundred attacking one man." Members got between Mr. Devlin and Major Molson, but seeing the scene was highly threatening, the Speaker rose, suspended the sitting, and said: "I will jotlfy the House when the sitting is resumed."