Typed copy of a report to + McQuaid suggesting six ‘objects’ for the Committee:
Keep an eye on subversive movements, e.g., the Irish Workers’ League (IWL).
Anticipate opponents – see the needs of people before they do and inspire the founding of groups whose aims could be cultural, educational or recreational.
Catholics and Catholic organisations should be advised by the Committee and not from Archbishop House. The Committee was to report to + McQuaid twice a year and meet with him at least once a year. Committee members: V.Rev. M.O’Halloren, Rev. C.P. Crean, Fr. Kavanagh, Fr. M. Clarke.
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.
Typed minutes from the ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: The credentials of Mr. O’Neill, a teacher of philosophy at the Peoples’ College, queried. He was a Scholastic in Belvedere and a brilliant student, somewhat cynical, but a good Catholic. Mrs O’Connell, agitator against the cruelty of children in schools, is to speak to the Irish Housewives’ Association. The estimated number of Teddy-boys, Teddy-girls and Vicky-boys is 500. Their haunts are the Ballerina, the Orchard Rooms and the Four Provinces. Objectionable literature is being sold by Bamba Books 3-4 shops in city. Permission needed to read Communist journals.
Typed report of the Vigilance Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: radio authorities have decided to exclude dangerous elements and encourage good journalists. + McQuaid is interested in forming a group of Catholic journalists. Information is being sought from the Guild of St. Francis de Sales in England and from Fr. Stephen Brown, S.J. Circulars regarding the youth festival in Warsaw discussed. Enquiries are being made into the Dublin International Club. Many coloured students take part. Chaplain to coloured students contacted and a report is awaited. Priest to look into ACRA and all Tenant Associations. Regular reports on subversive activities in Technical Schools to be forward.
Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. Its function this year is to report to + McQuaid in detail on officials of the various trade unions. Each member was given 22 trade unions with names of officials. The V. Rev. Chairman had a report, compiled by the Knights of Columbanus in 1948, on Communist members and their activities. Fr. Crean was delegated to approach Colonel Callaghan, the Head of Army Intelligence, to update the list of Communist Party members. Information was sought on journalists Brian O’Neill, Tony Malone, Annie Kelly, Maurice Hickey, Don Rooney and Michael McInerney.
Article taken from The Sunday Times entitled Attack on E.T.U. Communists.
Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. Reports were given on five men: Donal Nevin: information to be sought on his activities between 1944-1949 Des Brannigan: resigned as the General Secretary of the MPGWU and was appointed Secretary of the Pilots’ and Marine Officers’ Association R. M. Fox: a constant correspondent for the Distributive Worker, the official organ of the Irish Distributive Workers & Clerks. He was born in Liverpool, was recently in China and an article on China is to be published in the Times Pictorial Sean Nolan: he reported to the President of the Irish Workers’ League. Committee to ascertain his importance in the Communist organisation R. T. (Buster) McShane: he is the Secretary of IAWLA. An article in Health & Strength says he is making arrangements for the Irish team and supporters at the World Games in Moscow, August, 1957.