GRIM IRISH TRAGEDIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17708, 17 February 1921, Page 7

GRIM IRISH TRAGEDIES.

»» &EBELS ATTACK TRAIN. EiGHT CIVILIANS KILLED. TROOPS DISPERSE AMBUSH. By Te,-sraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 8.30 p.m.) A and N.Z. LONDON. Feb. 15. Troop." travelling in a motor-lorry were attacked from ambush at Mourne Abbey near Mallow. The assailants used bomb's, rifles, and revolvers. The bombs missed the military, who returned the fire and routed the attackers. Other lorries cut off the retreat of the rebels, and a desperate fight ensued. An official report states tW one attacker was killed and six prisoner's were taken, including one seriously wounded. Several arrests were made subsequently. The military suffered no casualties. Unofficial reports state that Beven of the attackers were killed.

A large party of rebels attacked a train at, Imshannon, County Cork. There were 40 soldiers on board, and they replied to the rebels' fire. The soldiers were travelling in the carriage next to the engine, a number of civilians being with them.' The, Sinn Feiners directed a volley into compartments largely occupied by Civilians. The soldiers immediately replied vigm,-;jsly, and there was a battle of fierce intensity for twenty minutes. Eight civ:ban passengers were killed outright and several others wounded. Apparently only two soldiers were womded. Two Sinn Feiners were seer, to be killed, and two were taken prisoner. It is not known how many were wounded. The whole train from engine to guard's van was riddled by rifle-fire. The compartments into which the- tirst volley was fired presented a ghastly spectacle when the train arrived at Skibbereen.

A . r-ner driving cow s in a field outside Cork found the body of Mr. Beale, the manager of a wine merchant's business in Cork, who had been missing for some days. There were four wounds on the body, and a rard was attached to the neck, inscribed : -A convicted spy. The penalty for all associating with auxiliaries. Black and Tan?, and police. Beware!" Mr. Beale's father-in-law was kidnapped last December and shot.

Francis Teeling, who was sentenced to death for the murder of Lieutenant McMahon, one of the victims of the massacre of officers in Dublin last November, has escaped from Kilmainham gaol, County Meath. Tire prisoner was rescued in a daring manner. A party of his confederate!? arrived at the gaol in a motor-lorry armed with an alleged warrant for the transfer cf Teeling to another prison. The gaol authorities appear to have been completely duped. Two other rebels escaped from Kilmainham gaol at the same time. Carty, a wounded Sinn Feiner, has escaped from the prison hospital at Londonderry. He wrenched an iron bar from a window, let himself down a rope,* scaled the prison wall, and reached the street through an empty house. Carty previously escaped from Sligo prison. The Dublin Castle authorities deny the reports that women and children in West Kerry are on the verge of starvation on account of the military blockhouse system. They say that there is no embargo on the entry of foodstuffs, which are plentiful in the district.