Typed letter, on two pieces of yellow card, to Fr. Diffney. No. 37, Pembroke Road (CPI headquarters) broken into and papers stolen. She has been promised a look at them. Jim Larkin has issued an order to the workers in the fruit trade who are not in a union that unless they join his union he would instruct the dockers not to unload any fruit for them. Frank Clark (FF) spoke against Dr. Noel Browne at the Ard Fheis. Browne’s solicitors have written to him demanding an apology or legal proceedings would follow. As Clark represents the Fianna Fail Party in Greystones he argued that the issue is a Party one and the Party must deal with it. The new party has flopped and Browne has decided to stay in Fianna Fail. Group in Rathdown will have to get somebody of ability if they are to beat Booth. Are importing Peadar Ward, if possible, who is joining Shankill Cumann.
Typed note. Possibility De Valera will retire from public life and Lemass will probably succeed. His success in holding the party together will depend on the action the splinter groups within the National Executive take. Hard to know which way Charles Houghey [sic] [Haughey], Dr. Ryan, Noel Lemass, Dan Breen will go as each is there to foster their own interest. Donal Nevin and Jeffares have replaced Larkin and de Courcy Ireland in the Labour Party. The IHA received a legacy of £300 from Rebecca West. The chance of it going out of existence is gone. In CIE Riordan got 134 votes in election representative to the Management. Its not that the men want him but they feel he is able to push their case for them.
Handwritten note (or part of a letter). The Contemporary Club met to consider the fate of the Club. They have no money. Mrs. Boothman only one who was of any use. The new Protestant Bishop told his flock that they are the natural leaders of the country. If Dev. dies Fianna Fail will never be able to gain control of the Government again. Worried who will take their place. Can see a split. IRA getting great sympathy throughout the country.
Typed letter to Fr. Martin. Name and address of sender redacted. Mrs. Anley wants the Minister for Health to enforce the Adoption Act. Thinks the Child Rescue Society and nuns are placing children in homes without going through her Adoption Society. Has no intention of making an appointment on her behalf. Women’s Societies wanted celebration for Anniversary of Declaration of Human Rights. This was squashed. Unemployed Association holding a meeting at 191 Parnell Street. Trying to get young men and youths to join. New members needed for next AGM of IHA so as to gain full control.
Typed report [from Una – name redacted] undated. She has made close contact with the American Ambassador. When she learned he had accepted invitation to the International Club she advised against it. He asked her about Conor A. Farrington who had obtained a scholarship to America. As he was a Communist and involved with the peace effort he did not get his passport and his scholarship was withdrawn. Francis McGuinness, son of Mrs. McGuinness of the Housewives, was looking for a passport to visit his mother in America. She was on an extended holiday and was informed her time was up. He will not be able to go. Ambassador cannot understand the attitude of Protestants in Ireland to Communism and their readiness to criticise the Catholic Church “who have always stood out on their own against all Evil.” Sean McBride was in India collecting signatures to his writ that his is trying to move at the Committee of Human Rights’ Court on IRA prisoners. He is considered “bad news” in America. Dominic Behan, Brendan’s brother, has replaced Michael Kearney as Secretary of the Unemployed Association. Does not believe he has turned over a new leaf. Councillor Swanton is pressing very hard in the Council for action to be taken to clean streets, child welfare, juvenile crime, etc. Gerry Kerrigan has been elected to the Trade Union Council.
Report of the meeting of the International sub- committee of the IHA. Letter received by Mrs Lucy Kingston from the Japan Council Against A. & H. Bombs looking for help for the forthcoming World Conference. Mrs. Reynolds had asked that an article on Nuclear Disarmament, to be written by Mrs de Courcy Ireland, be printed in the IHA magazine. This was opposed by Una Byrne on the grounds that the IHA was a non-political organisation.
Report of the National Union of Vehicle Builders in Dublin. Joseph Nolan, a member of the union, retuned to Ireland in 1957. Was member of the London District Committee of NUVB. Led a strike and was in contact with Communist sympathisers. Tried to oust Frank Stewart as Secretary, but failed. When Stewart was in hospital he became Acting Secretary. Nolan was selected as representative to TU Congress, meeting got out of order and both Stewart and his brother ended up in hospital. Nolan formed an ad hoc committee to examine books of the Secretary and Treasurer but found nothing wrong.
Typed report on events in Dublin. The CP line is now centred on Co-existence and they are playing up the Ecumenical Council. Labour Party endeavouring to place members on Committee of Unions. At the Congress of the Irish Unions four CP members got positions. The 13th Club, formed by Dr. Noel Browne, has become a recruiting ground for the CP. Donal Nevin invited the Club to join the Labour Party but the Party did not agree to it. Michael Scott expressed his dissatisfaction with Pope John thought de Valera should be removed from his position. The Plough had a circulation of over 3,000 in April. Lucy Kingston was prevented from being co-opted on to the Central Committee.
Handwritten report by ‘Grandmother’. Walter Schubert, an American, giving regular talks on the Bible. He is connected with the Seventh Day Adventists, Ranelagh. Lucy Kingston in charge of arrangements for World Adult Educationalists. Would be glad of check on uniforms in Larkhill and Coolock N.S. children without uniforms victimised, although it is not compulsory.
Typed letter to Fr. MacMahon from ‘Grandmother’. The Joint Committee of Women’s Societies are proposing to introduce a constitution and rules. Some members oppose it. Complaint is that some societies have four members on the Joint Society of Women while larger societies have only one representative. Mrs. Cusack is being opposed by Mrs. Macauley of the Adoption Board. New paper to be issued by the Communists.