IRISH REBELLION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18762, 16 January 1923, Page 5

IRISH REBELLION

ItER COSG-RAVE’S HOME DESTROYED. PRICELESS REQOEDS LOST. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, January 14. Armed men burned Mr Cosgravo’s country homo near Kathfarnham, after pouring petrol on the furniture. Others burnt Senator Sir John Keanes’s homo at Cappoquin (Waterford). Mr Cosgrove's house, a beautiful Georgian mansion, was practically wrecked. The house was unoccupied and unguarded. The caretaker was asleep in the lodge, and was not aware of the fire. Mr Cosgrave says that a priceless collection of letters and many valuable records and books were destroyed.—A. and N.Z. Cable. THREE MORE EXECUTIONS. LONDON, January 14. Three men who were found in posses sion of arms and ammunition were exc cuted at Dundalk (Louth) Prison.—A. and N.Z. Cable. RENEWED REBEL ACTIVITY. LONDON, January 14. Renewed activity among the rebels in the vicinity of Dublin is causing wide spread alarm. These outbreaks are attributed to a rupture in the peace negotiations owing to the Government’s refusal to recognise Mr de Valera as head of the Republican Government.—Reuter. GIRL SYMPATHISERS. NEW TYPE OF SCOUT. LONDON, January 14. The Limerick correspondent of 4 the Sunday Express says that the rebels have formed a kind of Sinn Fein Girl Guide movement, which has attracted hundreds of romantically-inclined gilds, whose heads have been turned in the belief that they are saving their country. These Scouts aro immensely valuable to the rebels. They coquette with the Free Staters, learn as mpeh as they can, and report to the rebels. They also carry food and ammunition to the men, who burn and pillage unprotected towns. These girls will never be detected till the Free State employs women searchers. All women are now immune from search. —A. and N.Z. Cable. TRAIN WRECKERS. GLOOMY PICTURE OF THE SOUTH. LONDON. January 15. (Received Jan. 15, at 9.35 p.m.) The rebels continue their relentless firing and wrecking campaign against the railways. A passenger train from Sligo to Dromahair (Leitrim) was held up and the passengers expelled from the carriages. The rebels set fire to the train and despatched it ablaze without a crew. The steam failed and the crew hurried afoot pluckily and resumed charge. The, Morning Post’s correspondent paints a lurid picture of conditions in the south The shopkeepers are ruined and have no redress. The Free State troops are confined to their barracks. The Arigna coal mines at Roscommon, which were onco prosperous, are now the rendezvous for roving bands. Protestant communities durinr? the raids are compelled to spend the nights in the churches and schools.— A. and N.Z. Cable.