Typed letter to Fr. Martin [Una Byrne]. The following items are mentioned: gave her point of view on divorce, birth control, marriage. Considered second marriage “legalised prostitution” advantages of education in Ireland being controlled by religious bodies Congress a waste of money countries with women working outside the home face monster Gene Kerrigan worried at Branigan’s return to union Civil Liberties plan to hold meeting outside Mansion House regarding IRA prisoners Tom Boyle seriously ill.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: UCD students are members of USI which was disaffiliated from the Communist dominated IUS and is now affiliated to COSEC. It has no political or Communist connections. Information on the reported Youth Section of the Irish Workers’ League was requested. A Welfare Association for newsboys has been founded by Jerry Kerrigan, a Catholic. Two reports on radio and TV personnel. Non-Catholics have a big hold in both. Butter to Russia: is it wrong to trade with Communist countries?

Typed letter to Fr. Diffney. Lord Killala and Felix Hackett have resigned from the Civil Liberties Association. More people should join that Association. Enclosed Bishop Philbin’s statement Comhair, an Irish paper, writing against Catholic teaching. Its editors are Donal O’Moran and Bob McGauran. O’Moran is a great believer in the Mother and Child Scheme and “is a first class chancer.” Sean Beaumont attended Prof. Thompson’s lecture when he spoke of infiltrating Irish societies. Comhaire attacked The Standard. Has heard nothing from Gerry Kerrigan. A Brian Cleeves is broadcasting for Hospital Trust.

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 As he was a Communist and involved with the peace effort he did not get his passport and his scholarship was withdrawn.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.

Typed letter to Fr. MacMahon from ‘Grandma’. Gerry Kerrigan was spokesman for the Newsvendors’ Association during dispute with newspapers’ management and was successful in getting a settlement. Now have funds for illness and deaths of members. Now hopes to stop the selling of papers by children after 6pm.

Typed letter to Fr. Diffney with two reports from the AGM of the Workers’ Union enclosed. Kerrigan congratulated by many for his speech at the AGM. Kerrigan and Smithers would not be surprised if Larkin has a hard time getting elected the next time.

Handwritten letter to Fr. MacMahon [name and address of sender redacted]. Since the withdrawal of a certain programme from RE the powers that be are taking notice. She supplied data and hopes a good ‘spring cleaning’ will be given to the nest. Ireland represented at the Summit Conference in Russia by Jeffers, Nolan, Murray by Stanley Halliday in China. All members of the CP. Adult education being held in 37 Pembroke Rd. The Plough not issued in December due to lack of finance. Gerry Kerrigan has been successful within union in getting information prior to meetings. Una was able to secure a film on the working of Communists in a community shown to group of men in Finglas. The report of Seminar of African Women enclosed. Mrs. Tweedy very impressed with Fr. Fehily.

Typed letter to + McQuaid from [Una Byrne – name and address redacted]. The following items are mentioned: Archbishop’s kindness in granting them the Catholic Institute to hold the Congress in 1961 Communist Party here is static Gerry Kerrigan is doing great work in the trade union notice in Communist paper in London says Irish Workers’ Union formed in Eire and Britain. Aim is a Marxist Workers’ Republic the Irish Association for Nuclear Disarmament is trying to woe all sections of the community there is an uneasy feeling about activities of the Garda Commissioner friendship with Mrs. Oganshea, Nigeria.

Handwritten note to say that Gerry Kerrigan has got on the council of WUI. There is a move to make 1st May a general holiday. Gerry is asking that it be made a Church holiday – Feast of St. Joseph the Worker. Miss C. sent her the following resolution by IHA – “That nuclear energy be used for man’s benefit rather than his destruction.”

Letters of Fr. Kerrigan written in Rome prior to and during the 3rd session, discussing the schemata and commissions. see VC/52