IRELAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 18

IRELAND.

AN IMPORTANT ARREST. REBEL DESPATCHES CAPTURED. LONDON, May 20. Free State troops arrested a girl on the road near Ballvhaunis (County Mayo). They searched her handbag, and foun i Irregular despatches, plans, and maps. They took her to Claremorris (Mayo), where she was identified as Count Plunkett's daughter. It is reported that she tried to swallow important papers, but was prevented from doing so. VIOLENT METHODS’ DEPRECATED. LONDON, May 19. A convention of 200 delegates at Leeds decided to wind up the United Irish League. Mr T. P. O'Connor said he thought that there should be a new organisation to effect a reunion of all parts in Ireland, not by violent, but by constitutional means. The conference discussed this question privately FARMER MURDERED BY MASKED MEN. LONDON, May 19. Patrick Kelville, a farmer at Curry Camp (Leitrim), was taken from his home at midnight, by masked men and shot dead. LONDON, May 20. A Government patrol raided a house in Dublin to arrest a man who was wanted, but he escaped through a window. The troops fired, and wounded a girl and four men (two seriously). ALLEGATION AGAINST FREE STATE. LONDON, May 22. Mr de Valera, in a statement, reiterates the necessity for peace by agreement. He declares that it is impossible for the onesided truce to continue, and he alleges that the Free State Government, instead of desiring peace, wishes an election to be held under war conditions, so that the Republicans will be denied freedom of speech.

A SATISFACTORY REPORT. LONDON, May 23. Tlie Australian Press Association’“ special correspondent in Dublin reports that the International Red Cross Committee in Geneva communicates its thanks for the courtesy of the 1' ree State Red Cross, whereby a delegation was able to visit the Free State internment camps in which 12,000 prisoners are concentrated. The delegation’s report proves that, so jar as the health of the prisoners, ns well as of the sick and wounded, is concerned, and also the sanitary condition of the and the nourishment and lodging, everything is very satisfactory. INCRIMINATING DOCUMENTS. LONDON, May 23. Art O’Brien, Sean M'Grath (secretary of the Irish Self-determination League), Sean O’Mahoney, and Michael Galvin (members of the same organisation) were charged at Bow Street with seditious conspiracy. Mr Humphrey Travers, the Crown Prosecutor, said that the prisoners were charged with conspiring by force of arms to compel a change in the Constitution of the Irish Free State, and to establish a republic. The accused might well have been charged under the Treason Felony Act, or even for high treason. The accused had made speeches in Great Britain appealing for assistance to establish •>, republic in Ireland. M’Grath at Birmingham attempted to arouse the passions of his audience by calling the Free State Government murderers, who were doing the British Empire’s dirty work. Mr Travers said that on him was found a pocket book containing elaborate instructions for the manufacture of fuses and high explosives, and how to use such explosives; also instructions how to destroy buildings by fire. Galvin was described as an officer commanding B Company of the Irish Republican Army in England. Among numerous documents found on him was a letter written to him by one of Field-Marshal Sir Henry Wilson’s murderers, containing the words “Send along a contingent of your company under a responsible person.” References were also made to various railway bridges, goods stations, and motor factories. The police produced a document written in Irish, English, and French appointing O’Brien a repesentative of the in London, and signed by Mr de Valera as president of the republic. The hearing was adjourned for a week. SERIOUS CONFLAGRATION AVERTED. LONDON, May 26. There was considerable sniping of military posts in Dublin to day, which replied with vigorous machine-gun fire pn the snipers’ position. Armed men ' raided wine and spirit sellers’ premises in Sackville street, and poured petrol about the cellars, which were set on fire. The brigade averted a serious conflagration. PROPOSED VISIT OF ENVOYS. WELLINGTON, May 23. Regarding the projected visit of Father O’Flanagan and Mr O’Reilly, the envoys of the Irish Republic Party, a pressman today ascertained that the Customs Department has sent a warning to Australia through the office of the Commissioner of Police that the deputation representing the Republican Party in Ireland will not be allowed to land in New Zealand. It was the intention of the Irish envoys to visit New Zealand after their visit to Australia.