BELFAST RIOTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 March 1922, Page 5

BELFAST RIOTS

— MACHINE GUNS USED. and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, March 8. Gunmen were engaged «-m fierce activities in bettast city throughout the dav. -Some early e.-laUh'shed themselves on chimneys, rools, and at windows in the i ai'iitk Hill locality, from which ~s they lin'd at shipyard employees proceeding to work. live people were killed, including two boys, during the forenoon. Early in the ai’teiiioon the situation berime worse, as snipers descended into the streets, v.lmh in some cases were made impassable. A detachment of the Norfolk Regiment, stationed in Hanover Street, was compelled to open fire, killing two snipers, and wounding a third. Gunmen liiirli.' I a /bomb into a military patrol, wounding a soldier. Alachine-guns were used against the gunmen, wlm temporarily ceased their actixities, which, however, were. resumed in the evening. Many civilians were wounded. A. bomb was flung into a restaurant, but there were no casualties. NEW POLICE FORCE. LONDON, Alareh 8. A. new Irish National Police Force is being formed, and is in training at the Loyal Dublin Society’s show ground. This v.ill form the nucleus of a police force, numbering several thousands of men, to replace the Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Police. ileernits are being drawn both from the llepublii an Army and from the ex-mem-bers of the Royal Irish Constabulary, who resigned dining recent- troubles. It is stated that the new force will in no sense he political. LfAl ERICK "REVOLT.” LONDON, Alareh 7. Reports assert that tlie invasion of Limerick is assuming a most serious aspect. No collision has occurred, but the citizens are apprehensive. The Republicans are umler Commandant Barry and are well armed, and have been recruited chiefly in Cork and Tipperary. They now occupy several large hotels and a wing of the mental asylum. Commandant Barry states that Lie coup has been undertaken lor the purpose of proclaiming an independent Irish Republic. Aleanwhile the headquarters ot the Irish Republican Army are devising means to end this Limerick revolt. Ten of theii companies have left Dublin for a secret destination, believing to be Limerick. More, troops are expected to follow. Reed. 10 a.m. LONDON, Alareh 5. A thousand R.A. troops have arrived at Limerick, and considerably outnumber the armed Republicans, who are holding several buildings.