Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: Fr. Kent reported that the Bishop of Ferns told a friend that Murphy, T.D., was a Communist. He was previously employed by the British Air Ministry. College of Scientology: as far as the Committee was able to discover the College is not a cover for something (abortion) but is merely a bogus form of psychology and character formation. Dr. Morris, an Inspector of Mental Homes for the British Government, called on Fr. O’Halloran regarding a complaint from a parishioner. The Committee considered a number of recent happenings on the world of trade unions and for connections between them. Larkin, Nevin, John Nolan, Jeffares and Brannigan were mentioned. Nevin and Larkin had no hope of getting their idea of Full Employment across as there was no unity in the trade union movement. The CIU would have nothing to do with Larkin. Brannigan was distributing some East German illustrated magazines (English language). The Communists are concentrating on trade unions and this may be due to the “loss of the intellectuals” in Hungary.

Document titled ‘Presence of priests on controversial platforms.’ On controversial questions, in which liberty of opinion is lawful for Catholics, should priests be allowed a similar liberty? Definite limits laid down by Plenary Council of Maynooth. Vatican Council has emphasized the active role the Faithful should play in public affairs. Regarding Vietnam, some Christians feel that U.S. participation is not justified on Christian principles. Fr. Michael O’Neill, St. Columban’s, took part in a protest meeting. On the platform were Sen. Garrett Fitzgerald, Sen. Eoin Ryan, Michael O’Leary and Donal Nevin. Fr. O’Neill said he would sign nothing organized by the Irish Voice on Vietnam as it was a propaganda body.

Typed profile of Donal Nevin. Was a civil servant in the Statistic Branch of the Department of Industry and Commerce (1941-1949). Now a research officer with the Irish TUC. Associate of John Nolan. Writes under the name ‘Donal Nunan’ in the Communist Review. An important member of the CP.

Profile of Rory Roberts, 8 Clarinda Park East, Dun Laoghaire. Appointed Secretary of the Irish Trade Union Congress in 1949. In close contact with Jim Larkin and Donal Nevin. Does not belong to a party. Founder member of the Peoples’ College.

Letter from +Nevin W. Hayes, O.Carm., Sicuani to +McQuaid thanking him for the services of Fr. Michael O’Farrell. He encloses a copy of his Fr. O’Farrell’s excardination.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: the present social unrest is seen as a consequence of Ireland’s economic development subversives definitely taking advantage of the disputes. An example is the Plasterers’ dispute being followed by the builders in general. The National Civil Liberties League held a meeting in the Mansion House on 25 May. It was reported in The Irish Times, 26 May. Speakers included Kader Asmal, Jim Fitzgerald and Donal Nevin. It was agreed that the League contained the real key to many of the subversive activities. An IRA document directed its members to infiltrate neutral associations, like the Tenants’ Association.

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.

Report of a meeting at the Mansion House, chaired by Peadar O’Donnell. Speakers included Mr. Koininge from Kenya, Jim Larkin, Donal Nevin, Mrs P. Rushton and Mr. Briscoe, T.D. Koininge spoke with restraint considering the way his family was treated by the British Government. O’Donnell asked people to join the Republican Forum, an organisation being set up to help African people.

Typed letter to + McQuaid from James Ardle MacMahon. Fr. Liam Carey phoned to say he received an invitation to a meeting to protest against the bombing of North Vietnam. The speakers were John Horgan, Sean MacReamoinn, Fr. Michael O’Neill, Jack Dowling, Donal Nevin and Peadar O’Donnell. He advised Fr. Carey to ignore the invitation. Fr. O’Neill, like U Thant, Bishop Fulton Sheen and Bobby Kennedy, felt it should be stopped. Did not know that Nevin and O’Donnell were speakers. Fr. MacMahon emphasised two points. The issue of bombing North Vietnam was a propaganda issue the moral issue was by no way simple.

-13 February 1947 Nevin, Stanislaus, Architect, 56 Clonturk Park, Drumconra, regarding the painting of St. Laurence O’Toole.