DUBLIN CLASH

Taranaki Daily News, 1 July 1922, Page 5

DUBLIN CLASH

REBELS BEATEN. SUCCESSFUL ASSAULT, CAPTURE OF THE COURTS. .GENERAL rising called. The battle in Dublin has developed and the whole country is restive. The Free State troops have gained the initial victory in overcoming the rebels holding the Four Courts, and are now assaulting other rebel strongholds. Street fighting is spreading, business is dislocated, and mines are being laid in Dublin streets. The development of the situation will be watched with anxiety. By Telegraph—Press Awn.—Copyright. London, June 30. The Four Courts has been captured; with 22 prisoners, including Com- i mandant Barry. Another report says the two main portions of the Four Courts have been captured. Mellow and Rory O’Connor are locked in the smaller building. They are being ordered to surrender. The Irish cables have been cut. Thirteen Republican leaders, including Mellow and Rory O’Connor, have issued broadcast a demand for a general rising in support of the Republic. INCIDENTS BEFORE CAPTURE. DEFENCE DESCRIBED. TERRIFYING SCENES. London. June 29. The defenders of the Four Courts have retired to the cellars, leaving only a few outposts to guard against surprise rushes. Upwards of 200 shells have already left their mark on the building and the damage increases hourly. The railway line between Kildare and Dublin has been tom up, delaying reinforcements for the rebels. Extensive shooting has occurred in different city areas, with several fatalities. Several northern leaders of the I.R.A. were arrested while proceeding to Dublin. The Four Courts garrison is said to possess unlimited supplies of ammunition and rations. The latest reports indicate the entrance into the struggle against Mr. Collins of the\ Independent Workers -f the World. Members of this organisation occupy several buildings in the city, including Moran’s Hotel. They are all armed with revolvers and rifles and they have laid an j electric mine in the centre of the roadway with the object of ambushing Dai] vehicles. The Dail Minister for Defence has is- j sned a statement that the country's prestige is being destroyed and its social and economic life beiqg reduced to chaos >y disorder invading the country’s life, ana through men seeking to arrogate authority to interfere with and destroy the lives and properties of their countrymen. Ttf Minister appeals to the armv to stand by and do their duty. Dublin presents the appearance of a beleaguered citv. _tlany shops are closed down and other- have the shutters up, but are doing business. Thus far there is no serious breach in the walls of the Four Courts and tile siege may last a considerable time.

THE FGUR COURTS. APRIL COUP RECALLED. The Dublin Four Courts, a stately and ; strong block of buildings on the North- ■ era Quays, have been occupied by the 1 rebel wing of the Irish republican army, ( commanded by General Rory O’Connor, for the past two months. The seizure of the Courts took place quietly between midnight and one o'clock on the yinreing of April 14. A body of some 306 men, who wore civilian dress but Carried arms, drove in motor-lorries to the Chancery Street gates of the Four Courts and demanded entrance. The policeman on duty refused to open the he was overpowered by men who had elimbed over the gates at another point. His keys were taken from him and he was locked up in the telegraph office. Then the gates were thrown open and the whole party poured into the yard. Sentries were posted and men were given positions in all parts of the buildings. Soon afterwards a police sergeant and a constable ar-' rived to visit the man on duty in the j Four Courts. They also were seized and were locked in the telegraph office with ; the constable. At about the same time the Four Courts Hotel, which adjoins the Four Courts, was entered and some refreshments were seized. Bread was also taken from a bakery in Britain Street and bacon from a bacon-curing factory. At half past six o’clock the three 'policemen were liberated and returned to their barracks. The whole of the large block of buildings wa= speedily fortified. Barricades of sandbags were built up behind the windows and when sa idbags ran short books of records, furniture and boxes of documents were used. The Four Courts are the home and repository of British justice in Ireland, and contain ail the machinery for legal administration. All the High Courts formerly sat there.