FIGHTING IN IRELAND

Evening Star, Issue 18033, 29 July 1922, Page 3

FIGHTING IN IRELAND

IN THE SOUTH. NATIONALISTS CLOSING IN. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, July 27. In the South the Free Staters are meeting- strong opposition, and are advancing warily in" the region where the roads are impassable or mined. An important and widespread fight appears to be in progress on fee Cork road, which is so barricaded and mined that the Local Government Board has appealed to all the clergy and prominent residents to assist by labor and influence in removing the obstructions, so as to help the Free State troops to advance. .Scraps of information allowed to filter through the rigid censorship suggest that the Free Staters are not meeting with uniform success. One statement declares that the road is so hazardous and perilous that no army could ever achieve a final ' victory in such circumstances without meeting with some reverses. Another statement is that the rebel positions are defended, with machine-guns. The utmost heroism was displayed by the troops and civilians, the latter assisting to bring in the dead and wounded under the most intense rifle and machine-gun tire. The rebels unwillingly adopt the offensive.—A. and N.Z. Cable. IN THE WEST. LONDON, July 27. The National forces entered Westport (Mayo) and liberated fifteen civilians who were held by the Irregulars. Ilia Nationalists later captured Newport. The Irregulars, after firing the barracks, evacuated the town Of Bolkghadareen, which had been the headquarters of fugitives from GastJereagh and 1 other districts for three weeks, like town is the centra of Be Valera’s former constituency (East Mayo), and the inhabitants strongly supported him, but. they changed their views as the result of their sufferings at the hands of the Irregulars, who looted the shops and flundered the farms for miles Tiro rregulars all escaped when the Nationalists entered.—Reuter. EXPLOSION AT DUNDALK. BREACH MADE IN GAOL WALLS. PRISONERS ESCAPE.

LONDON, July 27. A mine was laid under cover of tho darkness, and cleverly connected with the Dundalk electric supply. When it was fired a tremendous explosion shook the town, and smashed windows over a wide radius. The gaol walls were very thick, but a breach was made sufficient to enable the prisoners to escape in single file. Fifty of them were recaptured in the evening, including a wounded brigadier. Simultaneously with the Dundalk explosion, extensive rebel operations were carried out elsewhere. The roads were blocked in various directions, and railway sional boxes were set afire.—A. and N.Z. Cable. [Dundalk is in County Louth on the east coast.] FREE' .STATERS AMBUSHED. ’ LONDON, July 28. Irish rebels ambushed a narty of Free Staters at Glentriea (Donegal) at midnight. The Free Staters were led into the trap by a rebel leader dressed as a priest. Two Free Staters were killed, four rebels captured and one wounded. —A. and N.Z. Cable. LEADER CAPTURED. LONDON, July 28. Oscar Traynor, who was a leader in the 3916' rebellion, and who was prominent during the Four Courts’ operations, was captured in Dublin. —A. and N.Z. Cable. LAND-OWNER MURDERED. LONDON, July 27. Mr Sylvester Kerr, a large land-owner, and at one time High Sheriff in King’s County, was shot dead in front of his residence in Edendorry.—A. and N.Z. Cable. BAIL EIREANX. LONDON, July 27. Dai! Bireann has been prorogued for a further fortnight.—A. and N.Z. Cable.

REBELS CAPTURE WIRELESS STATION. LONDON. July 28. (Received' July 29, at 1.5 a.m.) The Irregulars captured Clifden (Galway) wireless station. They bombed the condenser house and destroyed the vital parts. The transatlantic, traffic has been transferred to Ongar station, in Essex.— Reuter.