Timothy A. Smiddy to Desmond FitzGerald (Dublin)
(142/23)

A Chara:

INTELLIGENCE

I have been informed by the 188-4-1 of 328-7-2¹ that the Emmigration² Authorities are proceeding with the deportation of Martin Lavan. Much influence is being brought to bear by Finnerty and influential Irregulars to have him retained here, as they state that he will probably be executed if he returns to Ireland.

The 188-4-1 of 328-7-2 will strongly press his deportation. Lavan's passage to U.S.A. was facilitated by a stewardess on board ship and was looked after while in New York by Mrs Sheehy Skeffington. I am to obtain the name of ship he came by. I shall be glad to know if you are interested in this man's deportation from the U.S.A.

It is announced here that Mrs Sheehy Skeffington is about to return to Ireland soon. She has been the most active of publicists in the U.S.A. for the Irregulars and has circulated everywhere the most atrocious lies about the Free State. She says when she returns to Ireland she will probably be put in Mountjoy where she will hunger strike and as she will not be allowed to die she will be released.

Is it possible or feasible to prevent her entering the Free State.