Handwritten minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: Discussed statements by Mr. Lynam and Mr. Leonard regarding Dublin boys going to Communist youth camps in Northern Ireland. Mrs. Una Byrne seems to be the source of information. She told Col. Tony Lalor and Fr. Killian, OFM. Committee feel that the report of the camp is fictitious. Michael O’Riordan is forbidden from holding any office in the Union for five years. A letter from Fr. Michael O’Neill in The Irish Times on the Irish Workers’ Party was discussed letter from Mrs. Gray said to be “immature and childish”. Commission Defensio Dei: Michael Noonan is offering to give lectures on Communism in schools. + McQuaid said nobody had permission to give any such lectures.

Typed report on lecture given by Professor Thompson, Birmingham University, a Communist. Chaired by Michael O’Riordan. Joe O’Hogerty, Secretary of Clann na hEireann, source of the account. Theme of lecture was importance of Irish Language and Culture. Socialism recognised the importance of natural culture, especially as Americanism was killing all other cultures. The revival in natural culture would result in self-confidence, create happiness and spur people to greater productivity.

Typed copy of the minutes of the ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: at a recent Postal Workers’ Union election Sean Moore was not allowed to speak Des Brannigan was elected Murphy is the new Secretary and seems to be “under party discipline” Mr. Murtagh, their solicitor, was “booted out without warning” and has joined the IWL. A priest told a Committee member a boy informed him that he was trained as a Communist by his father. If the father deviated the boy would report him. During the last (general) election Michael O’Riordan, a bus-conductor, stood for election. When it was rumoured that a letter from the Archbishop was to be read at Masses it seems that protests were arranged in all churches in the constituency. O’Riordan is very affable.

Letter from Fr. Willian O’Riordan to +McQuaid informing him of the sale of ‘Leinster Hall’ and asks that he direct him as to the maximum he should make.

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.

Handwritten letter to + McQuaid from Fr. Cyril P. Crean. The address in Nelson Street was used by the Socialist Groups up to two years ago. Denis Walsh was Secretary of the Socialist Youth Movement. Was Chairman of the IWL until replaced by Michael O’Riordan.

Letter from Fr. Willian O’Riordan to Fr. Mangan mentioning the Fete, housing in Maynooth and the reservation of the Blessed Sacrament in Lady Chapel.

Minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: Prescott has given up his agency and booksellers are now inspecting his stock and returning any objectionable ones. No evidence of The Plough reappearing. Mr. Piggot attended a lecture on Scientology in Dun Laoghaire. There seems to be a connection between the advanced stages of Scientology and Hypnotism. The Secretary is to write to Msgr. Kappes regarding St. Anthony’s Hospital, Ohio, and Msgr. McGovern regarding the Little Company of Mary Hospital, Illinois. Regarding Michael O’Riordan, Fr. Jarleth, OFM, will do his best in the Sodality (CIE), but he is doubtful if he will be able to prevent his election.

O’Riordan, William, The Laurels, Tallaght. He has started a crusade to replace the statue of Nelson with that of Our Lady of Lourdes.

Letter from +McQuaid to +Levame regarding the above memorandum of Peader Ward in relation to Communism in Ireland. The Archbishop believes its content is quite accurate and there is nothing new in it. He states that the defeat of Mr. O’Riordan in the recent elections were due to ‘…the very definite but discreet measures taken in all the parishes of the constituency’. He takes issue with some of the statements in relation to most journalists and writers being ‘left wing’. He also states that the Trade Unions in Ireland do not provide a platform for Communism and the members are in fact the people who ‘…form the backbone of our Sodalities and Confraternities’.