LIAM LYNCH DEAD

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 87, 12 April 1923, Page 7

LIAM LYNCH DEAD

WOUNDED IN REAR ACTION

TO COVER RETREAT OF OTHERS,

LONDON, 11th April. Liam Lynch is dead. He died at Clonmel at 9 o'clock.

The story of his capture by the F»ee State forces will be told in Irish homes for many a year. The Republican Executive had arranged to hold a meeting near Newcastle, at the foot of the Knockmealdown mountains. *A. farmhouse in the heart of the country was chosen. The occasion was of the gravest importance. The purpose of the meeting was to take a final decision in connection with the proposal to make peace. One by one the Republican leaders managed to reach the appointed place, and on Tuesday morning most of the big men in the movement, including De Valera, were there. Outposts were thrown round, lest the fateful gathering be disturbed by inquisitive patrols. NATIONAL TROOPS APPEAR. Every .precaution was taken to keep the date and place of meeting secret, hut. whether b- accident or design, the National troops appeared with dramatic suddenness. Fire was opened by some Republican scouts, who eeem to have lost their heads. Then a pitched battle developed round the farmhouse. The National troops eeem to have been outnumbered by the Republicans, who subjected them to a fierce and prolonged fusillade in order to cover the retreat of the leaders, whose •west was to be avoidod at any cost. A stray shot struck Lynch. De Valera and Breen did their utmost,' taking him alone half-carrying and half-drag-cring him. Troops followed 60 close that they forced the Republicans to abandon their comrade, who was later removed to the hospital. Every effort to locate the others failed.

. The other leaders, including de Valera and Dan Breen. escaned.