Letter with enclosure from Francis T. Cremins to Seán Murphy (Vichy)
(254/4)

I have to refer to the case of Miss Lucia Joyce, a patient in a clinic in occupied France, and to forward herewith, for your information, copy of a reply which I have received from the Irish Chargé d'Affaires at Berlin to whom I had sent particulars of the case at the request of Mr. James Joyce, father of Miss Joyce.¹

Mr. Warnock tells me further in a semi-official note that he could not without special instructions normally make any enquiries regarding this case, as you act for the whole of France, occupied as well as unoccupied.

I have informed Mr. Joyce of the substance of Mr. Warnock's reply. He said that he would await a reply from the American Embassy at Berlin, which was endeavouring to do something, and if the reply were unfavourable he would get in touch with you on the question of an Irish passport.

I have had a few cases at Geneva in which some Irish persons in Switzerland with British passports desired to obtain Irish passports. I submitted the cases to the Department and the passports were sent to me. I have just now received passports for this Legation, but I suppose from what Mr. Warnock tells me that I should continue to ask the Department for instructions. If you have any information on this point I would be glad to receive it.

Enclosure

With reference to your minute of the 23rd December² regarding Miss Lucia Joyce, a patient at a clinic in occupied France, I beg to enquire whether Miss Joyce is an Irish citizen within the meaning of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act, 1935.

There appears to have been considerable difficulty in France in cases where persons of Irish origin hold British passports. I have been instructed by the Department to take no action towards assisting such people without prior reference to Dublin.

I suggest that Mr. James Joyce be asked to supply definite information concerning his daughter's citizenship, and that if she is entitled to Irish citizenship, her case be referred to the Department for instructions.