KIDNAPPED.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1921, Page 5

KIDNAPPED.

AN IRISH SENSATION, SINN FEIN ADVENTURE. SWIFT POLICE ACTION, By Telegraph-—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 22, 8.20 p.m. London, Dec. 21. A Sinn Fein gang in Feeny, County Derry, operating over a wide tract, took fifteen men prisoners in the press gang fashion, and removed them to an unknown destination. The Sinn Feiners attempted to divide, but the police arrested five. They then instituted a house-to-house search, and unearthed a regular bomb arsenal, manufacturing plant and other requisites of warfare on a big scale. They later rescued the men, who they had been taken from their beds and compelled to tramp the hills, only being allowed bread and water.

The Northern Government’s resolute action has come as a great shock to Sinn Feiners in Tyrone and Derry. Hearing that armed Sinn Feiners had forced laborers, farmers, publicans and even professional men, at the revolver point; to follow them, Sir James Craig determined to act strongly. Before daybreak the police in a number of districts were ordered to concentrate in the Glenelly Valley, and ran down the republicans in the old Hibernian Hall. When the Sinn Feiners left the road they took to the mountains, and the Ulster police left the motor cars and followed thirteen, who quickly threw up their hands. These proved to be the men kidnapped. The police therefore continued the hunt. They were subjected to a fusilade from tbe hills, and replied vigorously. A number of casualties are reported. London, irec. 21. Consequent on the Derry kidnapping the police and Republicans fought a pitched battle at Sperrin Valley, Tyrone, where the Republicans’ camp is situated. Six Republicans were killed and twenty wounded. A hundred police seized ten road mining machines and a large quantity of arms and munitions. RAIDS IN BELFAST. “SHEER BOLSHEVISM.” Received Dec. 22, 8.20 p.m. London, Dec. 21. Isolated looting raids were renewed in the east end of Belfast last night. The police describe the Ballymacarrett area as in a state of sheer Bolshevism.