IRISH TURMOIL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18411, 18 May 1920, Page 5

IRISH TURMOIL.

RIOTS AT LONDONDERRY. FIREARMS USED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, May 16. Four hours’ rioting occurred at Londonderry on Saturday night, between Sinn Feiners and Unionists. A hundred shots were fired. The polioo, fixing bayonets, charged the rioters. Detective Moroncy was fatally wounded, and a civilian was critically injured. (Received Mar 17. 8 p.m.; I/ONDON, May 17.

The rioting at Londonderry lasted until tho early morning. Troops were called out and separated the rival factions. They then drew cordons round the troubled areas' and conducted a systematic search for arms. The violence then gradually subsided. Firearms wore used with alarming frequency by both sides. Amongst the casualties there were three deaths, and other persons wero seriously wounded. MILITARY PR EPARATIONS. LONDON, May 17.

Large quantities of barbed wire are arriving in Ireland. It is believed that they are connected with the now military preparations and blockhouse system. Military patrols now arc employed in the west and south to prevent cattle driving. Considerable areas in tho west and south arc subjected to so-called Sinn Fein courts, which arc with increasing frequency arresting, trying and sentencing offenders for crimes. TilE HUNGER-STRIKERS. LONDON, May 17. The Sinn Fein hunger strikers now released from AVermwood Scrubs prison and sent to a largo hospital, been mo indignant because of a temporary shortage of food at the midday meal, and quitted the hospital in a. body, after reducing the nurses to tears at their imreasonablcnosK. They have not yet returned. The authorities of the hospital say that they have uo power to compel prisoners to stay if dissatisfied.