IRISH HORROR.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1922, Page 5

IRISH HORROR.

MURDER OF SIR COLLINS. DETAILS OF THE CRIME. GRAVE SITUATION ARISES. PEACE WORK UNDONE, By Telegraph.—Press Aasn.—Copyright. London, August 23. ' Further details have now been received of the murder of Mr. Michael Collins, head <rf the Free State Government, who was ambushed and shot by rebels near Bandon. Mr. Collins, who was also Commander- , in-Chie« of the Free State forces, was j engaged in inspecting the South-Western : district, west of Cork- Accompanied by I Major-General Dalton. Commandant Do- | lan and Captain Conrya, Mr. Collins was travelling in an open motor-car from Bandon to Macroom. with a guard in a second ear. After passing through ? '-’Page at 6 30 on Tuesday evening It are hiding in the surrounding hilly wooded country opened fire. Mr. Collins’ party took cover and exchanged shots for half an hour. When it was believed the attackers were beaten off Air. Collins fell mortal) v wounded, a bullet striding him behind the ear. He lived only a few minutes. The others continued the fight. General Dalton was slightly wounded. A motor cyclist who was accompanying Mr. Collins was wounded in the neck and is in a critic!! condition. Other particulars of the attack show thot a large party of Irregulars attacked the party with which Mr. Collins was travelling. ’ The attack was beaten off with the aid of an armored car and heavv caahalties were inflicted on the Irregulars. A bullet struck Mr. Collins in the forehead towards the end of the figfct, and he expired in a few minutes. Hi. last words were: “Forgive them.” NEWS HORRIFIES LONDON. New* of the assassination was received in London with horror and indig.nation. It was felt that the removal of Ireland’s foremost constructive statesman cast into deeper shadow the dark Irish situation, though the stirring but reetrained message to the army indicated that others were ready to take up burdens and dangers of leadership which had fallen so suddenlv on his and Mr. Griffith’s shoulders. There is no doubt that these danger- were not small. Saturday night’s determined bombing and fusilading near Dublin of the car in which Mr Collins wa= supposed to be, showed elearlv the desperate state of mind into which their crushing de-

feat had plunged the extremists. It is reported that similar designs are entertained against other Ministers, while the guerilla warfare is becoming more r intensive. It is officially announced that the Dail Erreann will be summoned immediately, probablr on Saturdav. Mr. Collin*’ death is likely to precipitate e new political situation. The next meeting of the Dail Eireann will be pregnant with interest. It is noteworthy that of the five principal signatories to the treatv onlv Mr. Duggan now functioning in Parliament. Messrs Griffith ant Collins are dead. Mes«r« Ba-ton and Ouffv have resigned from the Government, while the secretary. Mr. Childers, has gone over to the rebels.

CRIME PREVENTS MARRIAGE. The Evening News state’ that Mr. Collins wa= to have married Miss Kitty Kiernan, a prettv Longford girl, as soon as the situation in the south had cleared. Thev met under romantic circumstances. ‘Mr. Collins was on the run from the British forces, end she travelled all night tn a lonely cabin where he was hiding to inform him that the polio were coming to arrest him. The Prime Minister, in a message to Mr. Cosgrare. acting-chairman of the Provisional Government, said: “T am deeply grieved to hear of Mr. Collins death- The Free State has lost a fearless sold’er and a leader with great energy and devotion a man of remarkable personal charm. Please convey to the members of vour Government my profound sympathy at the loss of one of Ireland’* sons at the moment when Ireland most needs his special qualities

of courage and resolution.” • The Belfast Telegraph says: The blow to the Free State is almost irreparable. * Me-srs. Griffith and Collins leave no outstanding figure behind them. Ulster will sympathise with the Free State in its trials and tragedies, which are not due to either England or Ulster, but to the Irishmen themselves.

THE NEW LEADERS. JOINT CONTROL EXPECTED. Received Aug. 24, 5-5 pin. London, August 23. Mr. Collins’ body ha* been brought to Cork, and is proceeding to Dublin by boat, as the railway is torn up. It is thought likely that the power of the Free State will pass into the handfl of Mr. Cosgrave to deal •nth civil matters and Mr. Mulcahy for military control. Mr. Cosgrave is one of the Sinn Fein leaders of the Dublin corporation. He has administrative and financial capacity, but is not strong ihysically. repeated imprisonments hayng affected his health. Mr. Mulcahy is nore a student than a soldier. However, le has shown himself a strong man. and je will he tremendously strengthened in jpholding the treaty by the resentment and indignation arising out of Mr. Collins* death.

Archbishop Duhig, who is now in J Dublin, sent a message to the Government. saying: “Accept heartfelt symnathy in the unparalleled tragedy which has robbed Ireland of her bravest son His name will be revered throughout Australia. His death will win motions »f friends for the cause he died for.”