FIGHTING IN MULLINGAR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 99, 28 April 1922, Page 5

FIGHTING IN MULLINGAR.

: REE STATE AND MUTINEERS. MACHINE GUNS USED. PANIC-STBICKEN POPULACE. By Cable.—Press Association.—Coprright.) ißeceived 12.30 p.m.) LONDON, April 27. A conflict between regulars and irrefulare broke out in Mullingar, Westneath, to-day. Both sides used rifles and nachine gunE, and the firing lasted two lours. f Two were killed and several wounded. It is alleged that the Free Staters aunched the attack. The populace is >anic-stricken and the shops are closed. Late last night armed men visited 3unmanway, West Cork, where much 'ifle and revolver-firing occurred. Later nste prominent citizens were found shot lead. A meeting of Irish bishops held at Maynooth issued a statement urging acceptance of the treaty, denouncing the resort to violence, and ' appealing for non-interference with the elections. Irregulars occupying the Four Courts in Dnblin have issued a statement that the Free State forces were undoubtedly the aggressors at Mullingar, where eaca side had one killed and two wounded. The statensont added that it was unfortunate that lives should be lost in such a useless adventure. Free State reinforcements are expected in Mullingar.Belfast judges have inaugurated a system of dealing with severity "with | rioters. Frederick Lemon, convicted of several hold-ups, was sentenced to three years and fifteen lashes with the cat. The prisoner ehouted "Thank you." James Flynn was sentenced to 18 months in Belfast for being in possession of arms. He turned to the policeman who had given evidence and shouted: "I may live till I come out. That man won't "be alive to see mc." The judge immediately doubled the sentence. Three others were eentenced to terme of three to five years for being in possession of explosives. The Cork County Council decided to fix no polling stations for the forthcoming elections.—-(A. and N.Z. Cable.) SENSATION IN DAIL. DE VALEHA DUPLICITY. EXPOSED BY GRIFFITH. (Received 2 p.m.) LONDON, April 27. There were sensational disclosures at the Dail meeting to-day. Mr. de Valer* made a violent speech denouncing the Free State Government Sβ the sole cause of the present state of affaire. Mr. C. Griffith cried: "I am not going to sit silent longer. Deputy de Valera came back from America, when I was in prison, and advised members of the Dail to ease off the war. When the delegates were going to London de Valera said to mc, 'Neither you nor any man can bring 'back a Republic,' and added, 'Get mc out of this straight-jacket of a Republic' " De Valera, white with rage, rose amid tumult, shouting: "It is on absolute falsehood." Mr. Griffith replied: "It is true. De Valera can go on denying it as long aa he likes."—(A. and N.Z. Cable.) MEETING OF DAIL EIRANN. ELECTIONS IN JUNE. TACTICS OF MUTINEERS. LONDON, April 27. The Dail Eirann met to-day, there being a full attendance. The president, Mr. Arthur Griffith, complained of the jstructive tactics adopted by the oppoents of the treaty, instancing -the jppression of "Freeman's Journal." he position in Ulster had been aggraited by the treaty obstructionists, who jught to impose "a boycott after the act had been made, the result being tore massacres of Catholics. Mr. riffith said'the elections in Southern reland would be held in June. The ight of freedom of speech would be upeld: Mr. R. J. Mulcahy, Free State Minie;r of' Defence, denounced the mutineers 1/ vigorous terms, and detailed their utrages, including raids on 331 poet ffices.v He said that.many prominent rms were closing their ■ offices temorarily. Commandant O'Neill, of the 3rd Cork rigade of the Republican army, wae hot dead without warning. He was ccompanying other officers on a duty all to Mr. Hornibrook, a farmer near tandem. A member of Hornibrook'e smily has been arrested.—(A. and N.Z. lable")