New-York tribune., 1922-04-15
Muti1leers Seize
Court Inn Dublin:
Coup Is Feared
Seat of High Justice i'm All
South Ireland Barricaded
by Rebels After Capture
Is Effected Through Rusc
Blow 10 Hopes in ParIey
Sligo Prepares for Conflict
Tomorrow if Griffith Is
Prevented From Talking

From Tho TrbnHcS European Rurcdu
Copyright. 1899, New York Tribune Inc.
LONDON, April IA. Hopes on a set
tlemcnt in the critical Irish situation
sank to day when Dublin awokc this
morning to find that the mutineers Of
the Irish republican army had seized
the seat of the High Court of Justice
in southern ireland. They also seized
and occupied hotel adjoining and
expelled the guests.
AS the day wore on there were other
rumors that various public buildings
had been seized and that a coup detat
similar to that OF 1916 was being
staged. Although the loyal Free State
troops occupied the postoffice building
as precautionary measure, no further
attempts were made by the rebels. 1t
was explained by the commandant Of
the mutineers, Roderick O'Connor, that
no coup dctat was intended: that it
had become necessary to seize certain
buildings in order to obtain accommo-
dations for his forces.
Take Possession Without Fight
The seizure was regarded in Dublin
as a defiant gesture by the rebels, in
tended to show that they will main
tain an intransigcant attitude, despite
the conference between the rival po-
litical sections. The mutineers oc-
cupied the High Court without violence,
and the only casualty was due to the
accidental discharge of a rife, which
wounded one man. A ruse was used
to gain entrance. While one section
raised an alarm in order to attract the
attention Of the police guard, another
scaled the walls and covered the
guards inside with revolvcrs. They
took the keys and were permitted to
remain in possession without fight
Several hundred additional mutincers
arrived during the night, and the build
ing was barricaded with sandbags and
furniture The invaders are we'll sup
piled with food and ammunition, and
are evidently prepared to stand a scige
if attacked.
Although Dublin is in a state of
alarm because of these developments.
the storm center in Ireland promised
to shift westward in view of the Free
State meeting which Arthur Griffith is
scheduled to address at Sligo on Sun
day. despite the local commandant's
prohibition of this meeting. This morn
ing Free State forces arrived at Sligo
and took possession of the county
occupied the town hail, the postoffice
and other buildings.
McKeown Repudiates Order
In view of the threatened clash the
Mayor of Sligo has appealed to the
factions to consider the interests of
the citizens and to avoid acts of vo-
lence. A telegram was received at the
meeting of the Sligo Corporation from
General McKeown, the famous Irish
republican leader, who is now "a Free
Slater, saying that as the military au-
thority of the section he knows moth
ing of the prohibition against the gath
ering. Brigadier General Devine, COM
mander OF the local section of the
army, says Che prohibition was issued
solely in the interest of peace and that
the last thing he would do would be
to fire upon the soldiers of Ireland.
The Mayor proposed a resolution
urging all citizens to avoid demonstra-
tions on Sunday and to cooperate in
maintaining order. Alderman Hanley
declared the prohibition was chal-
lenge to the authority OF the Dali
Eireann and that Griffith who had
the full support Of that body, should
attend the meeting. The Mayors reso-
luton finally carried Later General
Devine ordered notice served on the
Free State election committee that Sin
view of the fact that the Free Staters
VIII attempt to hold meeting in de-
nance OF the proclamation you are mott
ned that you will be held responsible
for any disorder"