IRELAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1922, Page 5

IRELAND.

REQUEST FOR BRITISH TROOPS. z POSITION SERIOUS. REPUBLIC MAY BE PROCLAIMED. By Telegraph.—Press Asea —Copyright. Received April 11, 10.30 p.m. London, April 11. The Daily Express’ Belfast correspondent learns authoritatively that Mr. Collins has requested Britain to retain the remainder of the British troops in the South of Ireland, where the position is serious. It is stated that De Valera may possibly declare a republic during Easter, on the anniversary of the first Sinn Fein rebellion.

OUTRAGES CONTINUE. MR. DUFFY ROUGHLY HANDLED. PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DESECRATED. Received April 11, 5.5 p.m. London, April 10. When Judge Cooke attended the Lifford Courthouse to open the Donegal sessions he found armed Republicans in possession. They refused him admission.

Two armed women held up the Donegal train at Cresslough and seized and burned the Belfast and Derry' newspapers. While Mr. Gavin Duffy was. addressing a meeting at Tullamore, Republicans rushed the platform, overturned the Press tables, seized Mr. Duffy and dragged him from the platform, amid cries of “Up With De Vaiera! Up With the Republic!” Sinn Feincrs wrecked the Albert Street Presbyterian Church at Belfast and smashed the communion plate. The church is now useless for service.

REPUBLIC NOT RECOGNISED. BRITAIN’S ATTITUDE UNCHANGED. London, April 10. Mr. Churchill, replying to a question in the House of Commons, said the Government’s pledge not to recognise an Irish Republic still held good. If the situation changed with great suddenness the Government must be trusted to deal with it. He believed the Provisional Government was doing its utmost to carry out the agreement ending the boycott of Belfast. The Imperial Government could not intervene at present.