Figured out a solution.  Must have had not completely correct syntax for screen
because this command works a charm and even loads it at boot.

screen -d -m -S "My Session Name" /irex/rexl -daemon

Hope this helps anyone else trying the linux version of irex.   I am currently
running irex 2.31 beta version.. works great.  2.29 kept crashing out so had to
try something newer.
--- SBBSecho 2.27-Linux