• File relating to the committee on censorship which held in the Dublin Institute of Adult Education under the Chairmanship of Fr. Cyril Crean. Annotations by +McQuaid. 20 February 1967

Minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: Letter from Mgr. Kappes read, stating that St. Anthony’s Hospital did not authorise an advertisement from the American College of Personnel Efficiency. A list of Directors of The Plough submitted. All seem to be associated with the Communist Party. The possible purpose of the 1913 Club was discussed wondered if it was an effort by Dr. Noel Browne and Mr. Quillan to form a new political party? Fr. Crean was asked to report on T.A. Boyle, Secretary, Dublin Tostal Council.

Handwritten letter to + McQuaid from Fr. Michael O’Halloran, St. Joseph’s, Glasthule, reporting on the ‘V’ Committee during the previous six months. Informs + McQuaid that the Committee members are very busy with parochial problems and need another member. He suggested Fr. Fehily who is in constant contact with trade union executives. They refer many of their problems to him. Fr. Crean is in touch with the Bakers’ Union, the I.T.G.W.U., the Local Government Officials’ Union he has a file on the Peoples’ College. Discussed the issue of Michael O’Riordan in trade union circles. Fr. Killian O.F.M., editor of Luminus, and Fr. Crean have the problem in hand. The case of Miss Blake, Loreto Convent, North Great George’s Street was discussed. Fr. Crean advised the Rev. Mother on the line of action to take. Fr. Clarke has been watching the activities of the Housewives’ Association and thinks the movement is under control. The problem of Communist literature being sent to students in U.C.D. by the International Students’ Union is also under control, and the method employed has been approved by the President. Complaints have been made to Fr. Crean regarding new trends in dancing. These trends are immoral, and where such abuses exist the attention of the police should be attracted.

Letter from Fr. Cyril Crean to +McQuaid regarding a planned giving campaign.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: Col. Harrington, Army Intelligence, told Fr. Crean that he had listened to a recording of T.A. Boyle telling Sean Nolan the procedure followed by Intelligence regarding suspected Communists. Information sought on Letchford who is a leading Communist in Cork. Garda recruits would have a chaplain appointed if requested by the Authorities. A new book on psychiatry by Jonathan Hannigan was discussed. He runs a centre in Monkstown.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: a list of names of known Communists was read. Local clergy to be notified of these discretely, unless Protestants. Fr. Crean reported that nothing was known of a man named Wyse by Intelligence. Mr. Kelly of Fianna Eireann was described as odd. Joseph Deasy and Mick Riordan visited Prague. As a result they are plugging the line ‘Socialism for Ireland’.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: Fr. Crean received a police report on the Wolfe Tone Society Sinn Fein/ IWP is working through social welfare and the Irish language. The men in charge of NATO and ACRA are good Catholics. Efforts are being made by the Communists to get on the executives of these organisations. There is hostility to the Church in RTE programmes. The Outlook programme has done a lot of good. A report from Chief Superintendent MacMahon enclosed.

Handwritten note in + McQuaid’s handwriting. He saw Fr. Crean and Dr. O’Doherty. Fr. Crean to act as head of group which would pool information and co- ordinate activities to combat Communism. Explained hi dislike of a ‘United Front of Catholic Action’. It left him vulnerable if seen to have a visible dependence on him. He left the group free as he trusted them.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: enquiries to be made as to whom Mrs Hilda Tweedy is. Andy Barr is active in Dublin Trade Union circles. Further enquiries regarding his affiliation being pursued. Enquiries to take place on Mrs Ester Bishop. She is on the committee of the Irish Countrywomens’ Association. A report from the German Ambassador shows that FREIHEITSSCHUTZ is not anti-Catholic and does not exist in Ireland. The Irish Times report is wrong. Volunteer Labour Service: Fr. Kent produced a cutting from The Evening Press headed “Foreign Youth in Irish Camps” young Irish people will also work in foreign countries. Fr. Crean to look into this.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: Murphy, T.D., although not a Communist there is a danger that he could be used by the Party. The Secretary reported on the names and powers of the ‘Comhairle’ in charge of Radio Eireann. Fr. Crean to see Charlie Brennan, Chairman, and advise on the dangers of ‘liberal’ talks. Sees chances of talks by Catholic laymen. League of Decency have no official sanction, and it is dangerous to give the impression that they have. Fr. Crean and the Secretary have files on Firinne. It is a big subject so discussion to be postponed for future meeting.