Profile of Michael O’Riordan, 37 Victoria Street, South Circular Road. Works as a bus conductor. Joined the Communist organisation in 1937 and associates with John Nolan and other IWL members. Was Adjutant of the 2nd Batt., IRA was a member of the International Brigade in Spain. Was interned in the Curragh between 1940-1943.

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 letter to Fr. Diffney. Michael O’Riordan and John Nolan have gone to Poland. O’Riordan approached a printer in Dublin to print a paper. Machinery costing £4,000 would be needed. O’Riordan told him he could get the necessary funds. Jeffares refused a passport to go to China with the Cultural delegates. Trouble in the League of Decency over rules. The IHA are sending a delegation to the Minister of External Affairs asking him to appoint a woman observer to the League of Nations and UNO.

Typed report. Anthony Coughlan, Cork, member of the CP in England. Appointed lecturer in TCD. Michael O’Riordan standing as Socialist at next General Election. Youth club set up at 37 Pembroke Road. Led by the Bolton brothers and Massy. Rory Roberts was responsible for the breakdown in the Electrical Strike.

Handwritten letter to Father from Sean O‘Sullivan. There are a number of members of the Irish Workers’ League in his district and he wants to know if Decree of the Holy Office (1 July 1949) applies to them. Some members of his CIE Study Circle asked him if they can read the Irish Workers’ Voice in order to answer the arguments of Michael O’Riordan. They are thinking of producing an opposition paper.

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.

– 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?

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.

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: a report in newspapers of inquest in Monkstown concerning psychoanalysts noted. O’Riordan has left the country. Note in + McQuaid’s handwriting says “not correct”. Capt. Fleming, Army Intelligence, reported that Roy Johnson, Roger McHugh and Jeffares met daily to compose letters to The Irish Times in reply to Fr. O’Neill. Fr. Kent to speak to Fr. Nolan regarding the Globe Theatre Group which recently staged The Ginger Man Fr. Fehily to ask Fr. O’Connor of the Columban Fathers about the Irish Workers’ League.

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.