IRISH TURBULENCE

Northern Advocate, 17 August 1931, Page 5

IRISH TURBULENCE

FREE STATE TERRORISM RAILWAY LINES TORN UP, HIGHWAYS BLOCKED. (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) (Received 9 a.m.) LONDON, August 15. Latest reports from Dublin state that armed men uprooted a section of the permanent way imar Rickhill and forced the driver of a goods train to disconnect the engine and then proceed. The engine toppled over and blocked the line, delaying trains bound to Hibernian demonstrations at Armagh. It is believed that the, outrage was in retaliation for Republican terrorism. Extraordinary scones occurred at Caledon, County Tyrone. Hundreds of Orangemen assembled in the Orange Hall and played 'Orange tunes all night, awaiting the departure for Armagh of the Hibernians with a band who had gathered in a neighbouring hall, the police having separated the factions. The Hibernians, on the advice of their leaders and clergy, abandoned the visit.

Although the HibernUns in Louth and Monaghan, owing to fear of reprisals, cancelled train® to Armagh, many other trainloads were held up at various centres by depredations on the railway lines, also by roads being blocked with felled trees. Communications were restored in time to enable 12,000 Hibernians with eight bands to assemble at Armagh from Belfast, Newry and East Tyrone. These passed resolutions sympathising with the Pope in regard to Fascist oppression, advocating a united Ireland, and condemning Communism. Mr Nugent, the Hibernian secretary, congratulated the demonstrators on their moral courage in assembling in spite of intimidation. He declared that the Hibernians were not associated with the Free State's troubles. Subsequently the Hibernians entered the Protestant quarter of Armagh, where they were attacked by a crowd till the police intervened and restored order, although the situation remains tense. Many shops are closed , and ex- 1 citement continues owing to Eammon de Valera, the Republican leader, visiting Monaghan to address his supporters.