Typed letter to Fr. MacMahon from Timothy Connolly, St. Columban’s, Navan. He is proceeding as suggested by Fr. MacMahon but fears the gentleman (Douglas Hyde) may be on holidays.

Copy of typed letter to Fr. Timothy Connolly thanking him for getting in touch with Douglas Hyde.

Extract from The Newsletter, titled “The truth about the Stalinist-controlled Connolly Association”, by Pat O’Donovan. The Connolly Association has been attacking the Socialist Labour League so Irish workers want to know the truth about it, and the ideology of its paper, the Irish Democrat. It is not a nationalist organisation but a sordid Stalinist set-up. After Stalin’s death in 1953 wrote a glowing tribute to him, but was silent when Khrushchev exposed him.

Press statement from the Connolly Association. The following items are mentioned: the Northern Ireland police state gave security to neither Catholics or Protestants men in Crumlin Road jail mainly trade unionists. African freedom

Typed note to + McQuaid stating the attached issue of The Irish Democrat shows that the Connolly Association is becoming more organised.

Typed letter to + McQuaid saying that Fr. O’Neill called. He is seeking copies of the Irish Democrat, the Irish Workers’ Voice and certain personalities in the Communist Movement for article he proposes to publish on the Connolly Association in Pagan Missions.

Copy of Pagan Missions, containing the article by Fr. Michael O’Neill titled “The Connolly Association and Communism”.

Typed note on The Irish Democrat. Mrs Toni Curran is its new business manager Roy Johnston has become Treasurer of the Connolly Association and Peter Mulligan its secretary Jim Andrews new chairman of this branch. 10.3 Wolfe Tone Society 1967

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 report of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: Conor Farrington was refused visa to study in USA. Justin Keating also refused. Anthony Morrison was married to Maria Timmons in 1957 and is unemployed at present. Mrs. O’Connell’s report is awaited. Mrs McAuley’s husband makes vestments. She was appointed to the Adoption Board at the instance of Maureen Keane. Is a source of trouble to Fr. Barrett and the Government. She is a Socialist of the Welfare State type tends to be anti-clerical and anti-nun. Frank Edwards and his wife are soured and bitter. Their son and daughter practice their religion. Eamonn Lyons was an activist in the Connolly Association in England. Spoke at a Public Meeting in Abbey Street. His mother is a practicing Catholic and Lyons did not undertake propaganda work in the area in which his family resides. Regarding the motor trade and the Iron Curtain Countries, George and Pirek, two Czechs, are trying to push trade in the motor business. Imminent merge of the CIU and the TUC. Fr. Kent spoke of certain aspects of the proposed union of these congresses of Trade Unions.