Nearly a War in Ireland

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6627, 14 August 1931, Page 7

Nearly a War in Ireland

Efforts to Prevent Orange Demonstration

r FREE state troops CALLED OUT United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. BELFAST, Aug. 12. Republican terrorism frustrated the plans of the Orangemen of County Cavan and Monaghan to celebrate the Relief of Londonderry. The situation was so ugly that Free State troops were called up by wireless. Catholic youths promptly tore up the tracks of the Great Northern railway in order to prevent the special trains with Orange demonstrators from reaching the meeting-place at Cootehill, Co. Cavan. All roads converging on Cootehill were blocked by huge trees, and trenches were hurriedly cut durr g the might. All Orange emblems were burnt. Groat alarm was caused throughout a wide district. The Orangemen, who were not desirous of bloodshed, abandoned the meetings. The Republican action is obviously a retort to the Police Bill, which has been introduced in the Free State Parliament to suppress revolutionary organisations. Large bodies of Catholic youths armed with hurley sticks, marched on Cootehill. Others travelled in commandeered lorries and motor ears. Parties blew up the railway bridge and took np positions to prevent the Orangemen from coming in in thousands at dawn. When the Civil Guards arrived, the Catholics bolted. A number have been arrested.