IRISH RIVALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21561, 4 August 1933, Page 9

IRISH RIVALS

- DIVERSE OBJECTS NEW NATIONAL GUARD republican attack bitter denunciation r . SEIZURE OF FIREARMS By Telegraph—Press Association—Coryright (Received August 3. f.,15 p.m.) DUBLIN, Aug. 2 The Irish Republican Army, in an official statement issued to-day, accuses General O'Duffv's National Guard of being simply a pro-British organisation. The Republican body declares itself to be definitely pledged to the achievement of Ireland's complete freedom and independence. It soys the National Guard is subsidised from Imperial sources and its Jeaders drawn from the " betrayers of Ireland's national independence." General O'Duffv has replied that the Guard stands for right against might and for the end of the gun bully. Mr. E. J. Cronin, secretary of the Guard, has refused to give the police his revolver or to disclose its hiding place. General O'Duffv stated to-day that two detectives entered his house last night and removed two revolvers, one of which the late Michael Collins had held when ho was murdered. This weapon was- given to General O'Duffv by Collins-' sister-in-law as a souvenir of his first commander-in-chief. The general said he had permits for both revolvers. It was the most callojis victimisation imposed by any Government on a public servant. His pension probably would be denied to him, and now his life was being trifled with. The Irish people would deal with this victimisation at the proper time and in the proper manner. It was ridiculous to say he was aiming at a dictatorship. The question whether the blue shirts of the National Guards could be described as military uniforms should be tested in the courts.