ENDING IRELAND'S TERROR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18381, 23 April 1923, Page 7

ENDING IRELAND'S TERROR

REBEL COVERTS CLEARED.

KERRY CAVE MEN SURRENDER

CAPTURES IN WEST CORK.

By Telegraph Press Association —Copyricht. lEeceived 3.50 p.m.) ," A. and N.Z. DUBLIN. April 21. National troops have thoroughly scoured the whole countryside of south-west Ireland. Twenty prisoners, prominent members of the West Cork Brigade, were brought in to Bantry, and others were taken to Macroom. ft is thought that the backbone of the irregular resistance in the difficult mountainous area is now broken. The last stand of Republicans in various parts of Southern Ireland has yielded a number of dramatic incidents. < The Kerry cave siege ended in Lyons, commander of the cave fighters, being killed, two other defenders being drowned, and four captured. The defenders numbered seven. During the darkness on Wednesday they tried to escape to an adjoining cave, but the incoming tide caught them and drowned two. The five survivors then surrendered, and were hauled up the cliff. As Lyon's was being hauled up the rope broke, and he fell 100 ft. on to solt sand. He was not seriously injured, and tried to escape. He was then shot from the cliff top, and the body was washed out by the tide and has not yet been recovered. The four survivors were brought to Traleo. Another exciting episode was a rifle duel in Tipperary between two leaders. Lieut. McGrath, with a column of Free State troops, came into contact with a party of Republicans under Egan, a'Wellknovhi rebel. The Republicans were surrounded and surrendered, but Egan managed to slip away in the confusion. Lieut. McGrath, leaving his men, followed afoot. The pursuit lasted an hour, Egan continually turning and firing his rifle, while McGrath shot at Egan as he ran. Finally Egan fell wounded, and was, unable to continue the fight. / McGrath was also shot. Both were taken to Kilkenny Hospital, where Egan died. Free State troops have arrested Con Meany, one of the most prominent leaders of the irregulars. Meany was implicated in many ambushes against the British.