Letter from Fr Riordan to +McQuaid regarding leasing of portion of St Mary’s Hall without the Archbishop’s permission. Advised by Chancellor to let lease run and seek permission before renewal.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: teddy- boys are excluded from all the ballrooms in the city. “Had they ceased to exist or are they involved in other activities?” a member asked. Copy of letter to + McQuaid was read in which Mr. Nightengale sought financial assistance For the Unemployed Self Help Association. As he had left the country there was no need to proceed. Reports on two meetings with journalists were read in which it was decided to set up a Guild of St. Francis de Sales for journalists in Ireland. A letter from the new Provisional Secretary was read asking if it was in order to request + McQuaid to become President of the Guild and whether he would appoint a chaplain. It was thought wiser if + McQuaid became a Patron rather than President. Michael O’Riordan addressed a meeting of 50-60 persons at 37 Pembroke Road. He criticized the lack of militarism in the Labour Party, advocated the nationalisation of the banks, more trade with the USSR, and demanded that clerical interference be ended.

Handwritten notes on John Nolan and Michael O’Riordan. 665 22 August 1968 A supplement to the Irish Communist titled “Recent events in Czechoslovakia”.

Typed copy of a letter to + McQuaid, unsigned, with the Minutes of ‘Vigilance’ Meeting of 2nd November attached. Wishes to clarify some points. The police are investigating the Centre of Psychiatry/Scientology arising out of an inquest on one of the pupils. O’Riordan has not left the country. Roger McHugh is a practicing Catholic, but quite odd and silly. Matt Merrigan used his union influence to ground Aer Lingus planes in England during the recent strike. Cathal O’Shannon was a Socialist but now a practicing Catholic.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: a list of names of known Communists was read. Local clergy to be notified of these discretely, unless Protestants. Fr. Crean reported that nothing was known of a man named Wyse by Intelligence. Mr. Kelly of Fianna Eireann was described as odd. Joseph Deasy and Mick Riordan visited Prague. As a result they are plugging the line ‘Socialism for Ireland’.

Typed report on CPI and KO activities. The following items are mentioned in the report: the IWL meeting on 24 November 1955 when Michael O’Riordan lectured on ‘Left-Wing Communism’. He traced Communism from its inception, deals with its influence on outstanding historical events and its growing strength in China, India and in the Arab nations. He mentioned its influence on the Trade Union organization in USA and Britain. The report also deals with the Christmas Bazaar, the difficulty of obtaining a hall for the Peace Campaign meeting, the People’s College Adult Education Association Week-end in Bray, and the date for a meeting of the Irish Pacifist Movement.

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.

Letter from Fr. Wm. O’Riordan to Fr. Martin informing him that lorry crashed into church during Mass, referred to insurers.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: the Russian Trade Union Movement approached Mr. R. Roberts, Secretary, Irish Congress of Trade Unions to seek active co-operation between the two unions. An enquiry will be made to the International Catholic Federation of Trade Unions for their opinion of this approach. The Workers’ Party of Ireland is active. Mick O’Riordan has resigned from CIE to devote himself to development of the Party. It is now clear that the Irish Workers’ Party is the Communist Party in the Republic of Ireland.

Letter from Fr. William M. O’Riordan, Maynooth, to +McQuaid informing him that the roof and ceiling in Leixlip Church are nearing completion. The question now is should they carry out incorporating the old residence behind the Sanctuary with the Church.