LIAM LYNCH DEAD

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17014, 12 April 1923, Page 9

LIAM LYNCH DEAD

AN EXCITING CAPTURE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, Apr?! 11. Liam Lynch died at Clonmel at nine o’clock. The story of liis capture by the Free State forces will be told in Irish homes for many years. The Republican Executive had arranged to j hold a meeting near Newcastle, at the foot of the Knockmealdown Mountains. A farmhouse in the heart of the country had been chosen for the occasion, which was of the gravest importance. The purpose <>i the meeting was to take a final decision in connection with the proposal to make peace. One by one the Republican leaders managed to reach the appointed place, and on Tuesday morning most of the big men in the movement, including de Valera, were there. Outposts had been thrown round, lest the fateful gathering should be disturbed by inquisitive patrols. Every precaution had been taken to keep the date and place of the meeting secret, but whether by accident or design. National troops appeared with Fire vrn* opened by some Republican scouts, who seem to bare lost their heads. 'Then a witched battle developed round the farmhouse. The Nationals seem to have been outnumbered by the Republicans, who subjected them to a tierce and prolonged fusil ude in order to cover the retreat of the leaders, whose arrest was to be avoided at any cost. A stray shot struck Liam Lynch. De Valera and Breen did their utmost- to save him from capture, taking him along bv half carrying and half dragging him. The troops were following so closely that they forced them to abandon their comrade, who was later removed to the liosnital. Every effort to locate the others I failed. FATE OF DEPORTEES. LONDON, April 10. An application for a writ of habeas corpus on behalf of Art O’Brien-, one of those deported to Ireland, was discharged, on the ground that the Home Secretary no longer had custody of the applicant.