Copy of typed letter to Fr. Connolly from James Ardle MacMahon thanking him for his co-operation.
Newspaper article taken from the Daily Telegraph and Morning Post titled “Irish Group Communist”. Says that trade union leaders have been warned about the increasing activities of the Connolly Association.
Typed report on Sinn Fein (IRA) and Fianna Uladh (Saor Uladh). When the Treaty was signed (1922) Sinn Fein (SF) split. Between 1922 –1926 it was directed by de Valera, and when he founded Fianna Fail another split occurred. Frank Ryan took over its leadership. SF gives its allegiance only to the Second Dail, elected in 1920. The IRA was under the control of the First and Second Dail. The title ‘Resistance Movement’ is now used by the ‘Official’ IRA. They have denied seizing explosives in recent raids. The raid carried out at Mooretown was carried out by a splinter group, while that at Nenagh was carried out by members of the Official IRA acting contrary to orders from GHQ. In December 1956 the premises of the United Irishmen was raided. It was carried out by McCrystal, who, with his friends, were expelled from ‘Official’ IRA. They tried to blame ‘S’ Branch. This group blew up huts along the Border. At the Christian Rex Congress at Easter, 1956, Dr. McKevitt stated that men from the Connolly Association were sent to do some popular action in order to steal the thunder of the IRA. This is incorrect as the IRA, Official or Unofficial, have no contact with the Connolly Association. Splinter groups of the IRA carried out the activities referred to. Students at UCD, the College of Art and members of the National Students’ Council were involved in the attack on Nelson’s Pillar and the seizure of Lane pictures from the Tate Gallery. Saor Uladh and Fianna Uladh are now one group so too the Official IRA and Sinn Fein. The latter argue that if the Hungarians can revolt why not Catholics in Northern Ireland? The Dail has no right to interfere with the Resistance Movement in Northern Ireland. Saor Eire was founded by Peadar O’Donnell. He left the Workers’ Republic Movement which was condemned by the Hierarchy in 1930. Frank Ryan and George Gilmore were also members. They remained in collaboration with the IRA until 1936 when they were expelled over their policy on the Spanish Civil War. The IRA organised attacks in England in 1937. Their Chief-of-Staff was Sean Russell Mrs Buckley was the President of Sinn Fein. When the IRA carried out a raid on the Magazine Fort in 1939 de Valera interned 500 of their members. Sean Russell died on his way from Germany in 1940 and Stephen Hayes was appointed Chief-of-Staff. The Northern Section of the IRA seized control of the Army Council and arrested Hayes. He escaped from the house of Roger McHugh and was accused of betraying the IRA to the Government. The IRA wanted Hitler to invade Ireland but he refused. Goerz, a Nazi spy, was arrested by the Army Council of the IRA. He later committed suicide in Dublin Castle. Seven IRA men were executed by the Government during the war, and one died on hunger strike. In 1942 Neil Gould and another had themselves interned in the Curragh in order to stir up trouble among the internees. In the post-war period the Six County section of the IRA waged a war against the Northern Government. They carried out the attacks on Armagh (1953) and Omagh (1955). Their targets were British Army installations. Orders were given not to attack members of the RUC or ‘B’ Specials. This policy varied in more recent times. The attack on Lisnaskea by Fianna Uladh was condemned by the IRA James Soraghan and a group of his friends were expelled from the IRA. At the moment there are two main groups – the IRA and the splinter group under Kelly and McCriostal. This latter group insists on police barracks being attacked. The deaths of O’Hanlon and South have evoked sympathy and their deaths have not affected intake of new members. At present there are 300 active members in Dublin, 200 in the country and about 500 supporters.
Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: a report published in London says Hildegard Meyer claims to have made contact with the Dominicans through whom she made contact with the Irish United Nations’ Society. Dominican Provincial to speak to his priests. Scientologists amongst the leaders of the Irish Good health Society. Communists showing interest in the Dublin Trades’ Council. List of those elected to be checked. Brannigan is working in the docks but has been refused permission to join the MPGWU. Tony Coughlan has been paid £1,000 as an organizer with the Connolly Association. Malayan Minister of Education arrived in Dublin for an investigation.
Handwritten note from + McQuaid asking if he can take it that the ITGWU has ceased to advocate the reading of Connolly.
Newspaper cutting entitled ‘Rule of terror’ by Cyril Connolly which looks at a joint biography of the Petrovs. Standard
Copy of ‘Hibernia’ dealing with censorship. Includes a response by Fr. Peter R. Connolly, Maynooth on Lennon’s ‘Turbulent priests’ article.
File relating to the Canon Connolly Trust.
Includes; Certified copy of Marriage settlement, William Cray, Pierce Nagle, Sarah Nagle, Patrick Sarsfield, John Galway (19 May 1770); Certified copy Deed, John, James, and Thomas Prendergast (19 April 1882); Statement of Claim, copy Writ of Summons, Rearden versus Murphy (4 March 1890); Certified copy Memorial to Deed of Conveyance, Thomas and James Prendergast to South Presentation Sisters (1 May 1894); Writ of Possession, Thomas Byrne and Mary Connolly (13 January 1902); Deed of Assignment, Mary Connolly to Thomas Byrne (14 May 1902); building receipts (1937); rent receipts (1938 - 1955).
10-13 December 1954 Correspondence between Br. Clancy, St. Mary’s, Marino and Mgr. Richard Glennon, Chancellor in relation to the application for Italian citizenship by Br. Michael Connolly.