27 - 11 February 1957

27

11 February 1957

1p 1 item

Typed minutes of ‘V’ Committee meeting. The following items are mentioned in the report: Seamus Sorohan was expelled from the IRA and joined Seosamh McCriostal. He “was selfish rather than dangerous,” and had little influence with university students. Matthew Merrigan: lived at 24 Crotty Ave., Walkinstown, and is a Trotskyite. Writes frequently to papers, but as he has little education it is suggested that his letters were written for him by Dr. Noel Browne. Fr. Kent reported that Sam Nolan is going to the sacraments. The left-wing Labour Group intend to publish a new paper called The Plough. Fr. Fehily reported on a meeting with the President, Treasurer and a Council member of the Marine, Pilots’ and Officers’ Association. Des Brannigan was recently appointed General Secretary. Since they had learned of his possible connections with Communism they were anxious to get rid of him. They introduced regulations to prevent him from speaking in public or publishing articles in newspapers until the opportunity arose to get rid of him.