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.
Handwritten minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. Fr. Tuohy submitted a full report on M. O’Riordan and was informed by the local clergy that O’Riordan did not have a change of heart. As far as Fr. Tuohy knows Nolan has not been to Russia. Members to find out who is the head of the Communist Party in Ireland and information on John de Courcey Ireland, George Jeffares and Hilda Alberry.
Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: The Plough - nothing further to add. The Committee is of the opinion that Scientology, at worst, this is a money-making agency and is not a serious threat. A report from Mr. Byrne was read concerning the importation of a cargo of paperback books, valued at £2,000, by Prescott. He applied for membership of Mrs Stanley’s Organisation governing the distribution of books, but was refused. Priest in charge of the CIE Sodality, Merchants’ Quay, to be contacted regarding O’Riordan and the CIE elections.
– 27 January 1958 Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: First hand information needed on Scientology. Somebody should attend the course and report on it. If not already done through Fr. Moloney’s Agency Fr. Kent will see if a suitable man from the Catholic Workers’ College is available. More information needed on Councillor Prescott. Security was tasked to get more information on The Plough and its panel of writers. Michael O’Riordan wields dangerous influence. Was elected by his Branch maybe something could be done before the next election through the CIE Sodality?
Typed report on CPI and KO activities. The following items are mentioned in the report: the Executive meeting of 10 April discussed the “shock treatment” administered by the Soviet leaders on the subject of the late Stalin the impact on the British CP was discussed. Sam Nolan complained of the poor performance of the British CP in the recent General Election, considering their influence in the Trade Unions. At the meeting of 12 April M. O’Riordan spoke on developments arising out of the 20th Congress of the CP in the USSR. He spoke of the peaceful foreign policy of the USSR. Due to these policies the state of international tension, which was fraught with grave danger to world peace, had been replaced by a feeling of security. Nolan referred to the present visit of the Soviet leaders to London their visit to Peking would go far to consolidate the great Socialist masses of the East with their Socialist comrades in the West.
Typed report on CPI and KO activities. The meeting of the 5th June discussed setting up a library of Marxist and other progressive books. On 6th June M. O’Riordan, S. Nolan and G. Jeffares held a meeting at Elvery’s Corner, Middle Abbey Street, on the subject of housing. About 30 people attended. No enthusiasm apparent. The meeting of 7th June discussed ways to improve the make-up of The Irish Workers’ Voice. The Chinese Committee of Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries invited about eight people to tour China, all expenses paid.
Typed report on CPI and KO activities. The riots at Poznam in Poland, was the main discussion point at the meeting held on the 3rd July. Mick O’Riordan suggested that letters should be written to the newspapers to counteract the unfavourable publicity, saying that “the riots were grossly exaggerated”. Sam Nolan disagreed as such letters would keep the riots in the public mind. It was agreed to shelve the question until a pamphlet from the British Communist Party was published. Other topics discussed were the alterations to No. 37 Pembroke Road, a reading programme, and Robinson’s departure to China. The question, ‘Is the time right for Communism?’ was posed.
Typed report, stamped ‘Confidential’ in red, on CPI and KO activities. At the Executive meeting of IWL on 6 November the advisability of concealing the League’s “direction from the Communist Headquarters in London” discussed. This accusation was being hurled at members. The meeting scheduled for 8 November cancelled due to a march by 1,200 students banners read “Soviet Murder of Hungary” windows of New Books broken to chants of “burn it down”. Catholic confraternities in CIE urged their fellow workers not to work with Mick O’Riordan. Matt Merrigan says he is a Social Democrat and not a Communist.
Reports on the Fabian Society, Trinity College, between 28 February and 29 October 1962. John Byrne spoke on the Capitol system in Ireland. Said that unless the power of the Catholic Church was restricted there was no hope of getting a decent wage for workers. Religious Orders held wealth of the country. Jesuits were dictators. The Catholic Workers’ College was set up to train people to take over trade unions. Maynooth College did not pay its workers a living wage. Jeffers was a lecturer in Trinity but forced to leave due to his work for Communism. Michael O’Riordan deplored Ireland being used as a cushion between Russia and America. Trade should be encouraged between Ireland and the Socialist countries. Michael Foot and John Collan were unable to attend a meeting due to the unsettled state of the world.
Correspondence from Fr. William M. O’Riordan to +McQuaid enclosing the text for the foreword Reportorium Novum and forwarding the Archbishop an advance copy.