FREE STATE CAPTURES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18334, 26 February 1923, Page 7

FREE STATE CAPTURES.

DUBLIN REBEL LEADERS. 20 CONSPIRATORS SURPRISED. DETECTIVES' SMART COUP. DE VAL'ERA STILL AT LARGE. By Telecrspk—Press Association— Copyright. A. and N.Z. DUBLIN. Feb. 23. Detectives arrested over 20 rebel conspirators in Dublin. The arrests were made in most dramatic circumstances. Having disguised themselves, the rebels, seated in a small upper room in Royce Terrace, were discussing the failure of the recent attack on Jury's Hotel and the desirability of executing a number of rebel troops for cowardice. The detectives, who had crept upstairs, at a given signal slipped noiselessly into the dimly-lit room, pointed revolvers at the conspirators, and ordered them to put up their hands. The men obeyed without attempting resistance. The Free State military headquarters officially deny the reported capture of De Valera and Liarr; Lynch, but confirm the capture of Sean Fitzpatrick, acting officer commanding the Dublin Brigade of Republicans. Seven men were taken in the raid in which Fitzpatrick was captured. They included small money-lenders, a scavenger and a sausagemaker, all of whom, it is alleged, pursued their prosaic occupations by day and plotted at night. It is reported that detectives arrested five of the principal irregular leaders at an army council meeting at Drumcondra. The Free State authorities are very reticent regarding the names.