Correspondence between Oscar Traynor, Minister, 28, December 1942, for Defence, +McQuaid, Colonel Liam O hAodha, Adjutant General, Richard J. Casey, Head Chaplain and various members of the Irish Hierarchy regarding the state of the Chaplaincy service and the need for reform. The matter was put before the Bishop’s Meeting in October. Also discussed the situation at the Curragh Camp., 21 items

Correspondence between +McQuaid and Fr. Paddy, 20, December 1958, Crean in relation to Curragh Camp. Discusses issues such as visitations from the wives of internees to visitations by priests from the Diocese. 4 items

Handwritten letter to +McQuaid from + Thomas Keogh, Kildare and Leighlin. He wishes it to be understood that the delegation he granted is a wartime measure and is to cease when normal peace returns. The special needs of a large civilian population have been catered for by the Curragh Chaplains.

The Curragh Escape: A Statement from the Irish Republican Publicity Bureau.

Copy of typed letter from Leon O Cuinnleain, Secretary, to Mgr. Boylan with requests to have Mass in the Chapel of Dublin Castle and altar stones. 1 item W.D. Hunter -Curragh Camp Dispute

-2 September 1955 On 3 October 1947 the Department of Defence sought tenders from construction companies for the re-pointing of the water tower in the Curragh Camp. Desmond Hunter’s tender was accepted. In January 1948 Hunter sought to change the Specification and an increase for the work. The Department would not accept this, Hunter discontinued the work in June 1948, and in accordance with the Conditions of Contract notice was served on him determining the contract. A long dispute followed. Uniforms for the Commissioned Officers

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.

Copy of typed letter to The Governor, No. 1 Internment Camp, The Curragh, Co. Kildare, informing him that the undersigned interned Irish Republicans intend to go on hunger strike from the 24th instance for their unconditional release. They sent communications to Mr. de Valera, Mr. Gerard Boland, His Eminence Cardinal MacRory, His Excellence Most Rev. Pascal Robinson, Nuncio Apostolic, requesting that these be forwarded. Signed by Sean MacCumhaill, Sean Maxwell, Peadar Houston, J.G. O’Doherty, Seamus Gerard Bohan, John Curran, Christopher O’Callaghan, Terence McLoughlin. This is an eleven-page document.

Carney, A.F., 6 Marlyn Road, Ballsbridge. Asks if the Archbishop can do anything in the matter of the hunger strikers in the Curragh.

Conway, Marion, Eaglehill Ho., Suncroft, Curragh, Co. Kildare. She is complaining that Fr. Whelan interfered with her recently deceased brother, who did not want to make a will. She accused the priest, a solicitor and doctor of fraudulently writing a will which defrauded herself, her nieces and nephew of their rights. She asks the Archbishop to have this will undone immediately.