Personal code telegram from William Warnock to Joseph P. Walshe (Dublin)
(No. 58)

Your telegram 112.¹ Following is translation of Aide mémoire just received:- 'The result of thorough investigations made by the competent German authorities concerning the dropping of bombs on Dublin on the morning of May 31^st affords no reason to believe that German aircraft dropped bombs on Irish territory. Only in one case has it been ascertained that a German aeroplane by mistake flew over the Irish coast and recognised it by lighting. This aeroplane dropped no bombs on Ireland and changed its course at once eastward.

As, however, the Irish Government state that, according to their investigations, the bombs dropped on Dublin are of German origin, and, further, as, owing to the very strong wind prevailing in high altitude on the night of May 30th-May 31st, other German aircraft, without noticing it, may also have reached the east coast of Ireland through having been blown off their course, the possibility cannot be excluded that such aeroplane(s) dropped the bombs.

In the circumstances, the German Government does not hesitate to express their sincere regret to the Irish Government. In view of the friendly relations existing between Germany and Ireland, the German Government are further prepared to pay compensation for the deplorable loss of life and injury to persons and property. While reserving the question of the payment of compensation for agreement at a later date, the German Government ask the Irish Government, on their part, to continue to do everything necessary to clear up the matter. On the German side, the strictest instructions have been issued once more to prevent the possibility of similar incidents in the future.'

I thanked the Under Secretary of State for this early reply. He asked that the German Minister in Dublin be consulted as to the text of any communiqué. He added that the Air Force expressed the opinion that the partial black-out makes it difficult to recognise Dublin, particularly on a cloudy night.

I promised to report this, but pointed out that the British would possibly have different views.

The Under Secretary of State hopes to give a reply regarding the January bombing at an early date.