REBELS SURRENDER TO FREE STATE TROOPS.

FOUR COURTS DESTROYED. RORY O’CONNOR PRISONER.

After a heavy bombardment the Irregulars holding the Four Courts, Dublin, under Rory O’connor, hoisted the white flag to the Free State troops at four o’clock yesterday afternoon.

Ten minutes afterwards the garrison, numbering some 130, marched out with their hands up, led, it is stated, by a priest. Mr. Rory O’connor and Mr. Liam Mellowes were among them.

“Unconditional surrender” was demanded by the Free State authorities, and these terms were accepted. The prisoners have been taken to Mountjoy Prison.

When they surrendered the buildings were in flames, and are now totally destroyed.

During the night Free State troops, after a carefully planned attack, forced an entry into the rear part of the buildings, but the rebels managed to hold out in other parts until the late afternoon.

The Free State troops, after they had gained an entry and fighting was continuing, lost some thirty killed and wounded as the result of the explosion of a mine by the insurgents, the leader of whom expressed regret that this deliberate act had not inflicted heavier casualties.

Débris and valuable documents were blown considerable distances. Some of the documents, it is stated, were picked up a mile from the Courts.

Mr. Churchill stated in the House of Commons yesterday afternoon that, according to the “Irish Republican,” Mr. De Valera was with the Insurgents in the city of Dublin, outside the Four Courts.

Fighting continues. The State troops are endeavouring to force the rebels from buildings of tactical importance which they have seized in various parts of the city.

In Donegal the Irregulars have been severely defeated.