IRISH AFFAIRS.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17700, 28 February 1923, Page 9

IRISH AFFAIRS.

REBEL LAWLESSNESS

JURY'S NOTABLE VERDICT.

(BT CABLE—PB.EBS ABSOCTATIOH —COFTRIOKT.) (AUSTRALIAN ABB N.I. CABLZ ASSOCIATION;

LONDON. February 26

Outrages continue iu the west and south of Ireland. Business has been suspended at many post offices as a result of thefts by raider. Few offices are paying old-age or army pensions, and many aged pensioners have to travel fifteen miles in the worst el' weather in order to get their penaioris.

Mary McSwiney has appealed to the Pope, on behalf of her sister Annie, who has been hunger-striking in KUmainham prison for the past eleven days, and "has been refused the consolation of the sacraments because of the unjust political partisanship of the bii'hops.''

The police raided a dilapidated house in the slums of Liverpool and seized -a quantity of arras, ammunition, and detonators, also correspondence in connexion with the Irish rebels. Michaol O'Donoghue, who was found on the premises, was arrested. The Dublin correspondent of the "Daily Telegraph" reports that at an inquest on a Free State soldier, killed during indiscriminate shooting in July, a verdict of wilful murder was returned against persons unknown. This is the first time a Free State jury has returned a v verdict of murder in the case of death resulting from a conflict between Republicans and Free State soldiers. Hitherto the verdicts, in both Government and anti-Government cases, have been the colourless "Death from bullet wounds." It is hoped the new I departure means that juries are returning to a sense of their civic responsi- j bility. ' j GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF ULSTER. STATE ENTRY INTO BELFAST. (actbtbalian and v.z. cash ajooousio*.) LONDON, February 20. The State entry of the Duke of Abereorn, Governor-General of Northern Ireland, into Belfast was marred by bad weather. The Lord Mayor and the members of the Corporation presented the Duke with the, key to the city at Stormont Castle, where the Duke of Abereorn is Sir James Craig's guest, The keehest interest was displayed in this, the first State entry since the initiation of the Northern Parliament. The five-miles route was decorated and lined by troops and police. Escorted by armoured cars, mounted police, and field artillery, the Governor-General alighted at Ulster Hall, the artillery firing a salute of 19 gums. Sir James Craig and members of the Cabinet welcomed the Duke amidst remarkable enthusiasm. Loyal addresses were presented by 115 public bodies. Replying, the Duke of Atercom said the gathering was proof that the North of Ireland was devoting itself to the fulfilment of its duty with its age-old capacity and determination. He would convey, to the .King the ineffaceable impression the gathering had made on him. Three thousand people attended the Lord Mayor's reception. The Duke of Abereorn sent the following message to the King:—-"With humble duty, I beg to, inform your Majesty that I have received a most enthusiastic and loyal welcome as your representative in Northern Ireland upon my official entry; into Belfast. On behalf' of the loyal inhabitants of all classes .'in Northern Ireland I send you expressions of devotion and fealty." A TRAITOR EXECUTED. (Eeeeived February 27th, 7.25 pjn.) LONDON, February 26. It is officially announced that Thomas Gibson, an ex-Free State soldier, has been executed for treachery. He left Maryborough barracks in November, carrying rifles, and was arrested in January in company with two prominent irregulars, who were in possession of arms. COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGE. LARGE BRITISH VOTE. (Received February 27th, 9.25 p.m.) LONDON, February 27. In the House of Commons, in the course of a debate upon compensation for malicious damages sustained in Ireland before the truce of. 1021, the Hon. W. G. Ormsby-Uore, Under-Secretary for the Colonies, said tiie final total ,ivas about £10,000,000. Ail the damage done in Cork would eventually fall upon the British Government. The vote was agreed to.