Letter from Stephen A. Roche to Frederick H. Boland (Dublin)
(69/10304)

I have your letters (410/1/108) of the 3rd and 6th instant relating to Léon Degrelle.¹

We have already told the Guards to keep their eyes open for refugees on Spanish trawlers and we will issue a fresh warning about Degrelle.

I am somewhat doubtful, however, about your suggestion that Degrelle should be refused permission to land if he arrives here. This man is a political refugee who was sentenced to death in his absence, and it seems to me that it would be very difficult for us to refuse him asylum. I am sure that you have considered this aspect of the case already, but, before definite instructions are issued, I should be glad to be assured that the Department of External Affairs are prepared to stand over a refusal of asylum in this case.