IRELAND’S WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18612, 21 July 1922, Page 5

IRELAND’S WAR

REBEL OUTRAGE, FUNERAL CORTEGE AMBUSHED, i COMMANDANT ROONEY KILLED. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, July 19. The Republicans ambushed the funeral procession Of a Free State soldier who was killed in a street in Gort (Galway). The body, which was accompanied by the deceased’s parents and several unarmed comrades, was attacked on the way to Spiddle, the am bashers firing from both sides of the read. Commandant Rooney was killed, and one car was overturned in a ditch. Several unarmed Free State soldiers were taken prisoner. The funeral car broke through the ambush, picking up the dead commandant,' and reached Galway. The Free Staters are now pursuing the Irregulars, who still hold prisoners.— A. and N.Z. Cable. REBELS WANT PEACE. LONDON. July 19. It is reported that the Irish Irregulars are seeking a peace parley.—A. and N.Z. Cable. FREEMAN’S JOURNAL. COMPENSATION FOR DAMAGE. LONDON, July 18. Tlie Recorder in Dublin awarded £45,150 damages to Freeman’s Journal against the Dublin Corporation for the destruction of their premises by fhe Republican army on March 29.—Reuter. PEACE EFFORTS. A BRIGHTER OUTLOOK. FIGHTING IN LIMERICK. A CLIMAX APPROACHING. „ LONDON, July 19. (Received July 20, at 7.55 p.m.) The statement published in Dublin that representatives of the Irregulars had gone to the Free State headquarters for the purpose of discussing peace has produced a hopeful feeling. Seventeen Labour members of the Dail will also meet in Dublin on Thursday to discuss a peace move, but the Free State Government does not recognise this effort. Meanwhile the opposing forces in Limerick are most active. It is believed that the Free Staters are gaining the upper hand. They have captured the rebels’ chief strongholds anj_ a climax is approaching. The Mayor of Limerick has issued a proclamation requesting women and children and elderly people to evacuate the neighbourhood of the barracks. The Irregulars are still holding out in the western section of the city, and are endeavouring to keep open a means of retreat to Mallow and Cork. It is reported that the entire staff ot Irregulars in a Tuam Brigade resigned owing to refusal to carry out disagreeable orders. REBELS IN CORK. The Irregulars are making elaborate defensive preparations in (fork Hotel. The visitors have been turned out, luggage commandeered, and barricades erected. The steamship services from Liverpool and Glasgow to Limerick have been suspended owing to the danger of looting and sniping which the vessels are subjected to. FAMINE IN MAYO. Mayo is reported to be on the brink of famine. No vessels are arriving. Several bridges have been blown up in the South and West of Ireland. One across the Shannon River at Portumna cost £IOO,OOO. LOOTING BY IRREGULARS. The Irregulars are looting foodstuffs and commandeering vehicles m the Midlands and Northern Ireland.—A. and N.Z. Cable. POSITION IN LIMERICK. FIGHTING AND SNIPING. MANY CITIZENS WOUNDED, LONDON, July 19. (Received July 20, at 8.60 p.m.) Later reports state that heavy fighting was in progress in Limerick to-day. Sniping was general, and many, citizens were wounded. Free Staters are besieging King John’s Castle, where the'rebels are holding out as the military barracks were destroyed by fire. Six Republicans were killed.—A. and N.Z. Cable.