New-York tribune., 1922-06-29
Free State Men Besicgo
Republicans in Four
Courts, Bombardment
Beginning at Daybreak
Civilians Shot Down
By Vagrant Bullets
Big Guns Used TO Batter
Walls; Fighting Spreads
Through City Streets
sr,etal cabl. % TAs Trss..


copyriEhf. 1921. New YORK Trhuns In,
DUBLIN, Juno 2s.-Ciyil war
between the Free State and the
Irish republicans broke out in Dub
lin to-day, when provisional govern
ment troops opened fire on Tho saAel
headquarters, the Four Courts Build
ing, overlooking the Lifey River.
An artillery attack, followed by
steady machine gun and rife fro
throughout the day from every
nearby vantage point, had failed up
to late tonight to drive tho repub-
licans from their stronghold.
To the people Of Dublin the battle
meant that the great day had come
for a test Of strength between tho
pro-treaty forces and those who
stood out for an Irish republic.
Terrific fire was returned BY the
rebels. who had every advantage Of
cover, but the latest casualty reports
show that the Free Staters have lose
only five dead and twenty wounded
Rory O'Connor, leader Of the rebels
ia reported 10 have been wounded
The republicans report only one
man killed and several wounded.
Man, civilians have been killed or
wounded by stray bullets.
Open Fire at Dsybresk
Az daybreak the Collins army under
the leadership OF Richard Au.eahy'
chief OF staf and for A long time
comrade OF o'Connor, opened IRE on
the -Four Courts Building. which had
been barricaded with sandbags BY ihc
irregulars. Twelve Founders were
used at frst and they tore great holes
through the solid masonry AFTER
breaches had been made IN the outer
works. Several thousands troops were
used in the assault which was maze
on all sides simultaneously.
As the day wore on the hghung
spread 20 different parts Of the eity'
A body Of rebels, ensconced N fo"ler
Memorial Hall in ParneN square SET
fire 10 the building when they were
driven out by the Free Staters. Inc
rebels seized two hotels IN the i'm.
mediate ncighborhood, the Hughes ana
the Moran. and quickly fortified them
as best they could with furniture ~
all sorts. in preparation Tor anothh
siege.
Other rebel forces came 20 the res
cue OF the belcageered -Four Courts
forces BY seizing the Clarence Hotel
near Gratlan Bridge; barry's Hotel IN
Great Denmark street, ana other sitae-
lures, thereby forcing the Free slaters
10 withdraw some Of their attacking
forces from the Lifey scene oi attseN'
Fighting Extends over City
Two ambushes Of Free State forces
extended the zone Of hostilities 10 dis
tant parts Of the city, both IN area.
where British troops frequently had
made attacks in the old days. In Les
son Street a car containing an onicer
and two soldiers was bombed and the
three were wolnded. a second attAcA
occurred in Camden street, known as
the "Dardanelles" because Of the num-
Der OF attacks made there during the
period OF British occupation. Three
ocernan,a Of a Free State lorry were
seen to collapse at this point following
fusillade.
During the afternoon motor car
containing republican reintoreements
from kildare dashed along the Liroy
quay, exchanging shots with the Free
State outposts. One occupant OF the
car was wounded and three others were
captured by the Free Staters.
At nightfsll there was no sign OF
surrender from the forces In the -Four
Courts building. The garrison still
had plenty Of ammunition and an abun.
dant food supply. IL Is believed that
II large breach is made In the walls
tie building Win be rushed By tanks.
After that, IL the rebels fail 70 yield.
desperate hand-to- hand fight Is bound
10 ensue.
Streets Become Battlefield
The irrcgulars outside the wall added
considerable confusion and uncertainty
20 the situation tonight by continuing
20 seize buildings and carrying the war
into the streets.
Tie battle threw the whole city into
an uproar. The irregulars we're pre-
pared and eager FOR battle. O'Connors
men, equipped with machine guns and
rifles, numbered about 400, but they
had the advantage Of shelter during
the first assault and we're able 10
throw IL of. The attack was so sud
den that thousands were trapped IN
the lighting area, including hundreds
Of women. A frantic rush - made
by the non-combatants 20 resch places
Of safety sri indeseribable confusion
followed. The artillery fire lasted only
a short time and then armored ears
took the place Of the twelye'pounders,
moving close 10 the walls.
From the numerous small holes that
had been cut through the walls, o'Con
nor's men poured a continual FIRE upon
the sssaulting party and In the early
fighting a large number Of the Free
State soldiers fell, although the exact
number was not obtainable. BY noon
a large crowd gathered al tha edge ot
the fgating area, having grown ae'
customed 20 the roar Of battle and the
elatter Of lorries that were constantly
bringing up reinforcements 10 the
Free State forces. Many Of these reek-
less curiosity seekers were wounded
and soon smbulanees were changing
through the streets 20 pick them up.
Dispatch riders clattering through by
ways far removed from the scene OF
k.ttio threw tha whole city into a