From The Times, March 30, 1922:
For the third time in a fortnight the goods train which leaves Belfast at 9.45pm for Dublin was attacked this morning when approaching the Free State Border. The attackers made elaborate preparations to secure their object. The scene of the occurrence is a place known as the Wellington Cut, north of Adavoyle Station, near Newry, and just on the Ulster side of the frontier. Here a length of rail had been completely removed, and some fish plates loosened, and when the train came along it was derailed. The engine and leading coaches, including the postal van, were overturned. As soon as the train had been brought to a standstill a number of men appeared and set the damaged wagons ablaze, seven of them being reduced to masses of twisted iron, while their contents were scattered over the line, a mixture of whisky bottles, bacon, barrels, biscuits, fruit, and other goods. While armed men were destroying the wagons, others had taken the train officials prisoners, lined them up against the wall and covered them with revolvers. It is estimated that nearly 100 men took part in the affair. The wagons and the contents were sprinkled with petrol before being set on fire.
Before leaving, it is stated, they helped themselves to some of the goods, and boots, shoes and bottles of wine were found in neighbouring fields where they had been dropped in a hurried departure. The mails were also examined, the registered packets being opened and a number taken away. Traffic on the line was suspended entirely for some hours and has during the greater part of today been carried on by a single line, causing great delay to mail and passenger traffic between north and south. In consequence of this and other outrages the Great Northern Company tonight announce the discontinuance of night goods trains on their system. These trains were largely used for the carrying of mails, and the decision will mean considerable delay in postal communication. The outrages are believed to be part of the campaign of the disaffected party in the Free State to make government by the Northern Cabinet impossible. The Enniskillen to Sligo train on the Sligo and Leitrim line was held up on Monday near Sligo, and all Northern merchandise was removed.
