Handwritten minute from Michael Rynne to Seán Nunan (Dublin)

I think the onus rests heavily on the Minister for Justice to show why Unland¹ should be granted Irish citizenship. That is, 100% convincing, positive, reasons ought to be advanced for the proposal.

It is surely not a sufficient reason to say merely that Unland ‘has not engaged in any political activity since 1947 and that if we were now to naturalize him, it seems unlikely that, in the present situation, the British would be greatly worried.’

Assuming that we grant the privilege of Irish status to persons who can be depended upon to give ‘fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State’ and because they are of good character and have lived here as normal residents for five years etc., I cannot see why we should give credit for cessation of criminal activities, let alone take account of another State’s absence of objections.

On the point of time alone, it seems to me that Mr. Unland is very quick off the mark: he appears to have been last released from prison (April 1947) barely four and a half years ago and was then allowed to remain here on sufferance only after difficult negotiations with the British Government.

We might, perhaps, ask Coyne if he is satisfied that Unland fulfils the residence qualification (five years) required by Section 4 of the Act of 1935.

I suggest we should also ask G2 for observations and insist that all Departments which have had recent dealings with Unland, give us the fullest possible details of his activities, conduct, probable or possible intentions etc. We should need to be very fully briefed about this man before reopening his case with the British. He is still young enough to make trouble and, if he is naturalised, he will be entitled to a passport from our Minister who will have to answer for his behaviour in and to other states.²

On the view that we already have more than enough citizens to protect there does not seem to be much to be said for taking on foreigners who entered the state illegally with criminal intent.

Marginal note: Dr. Rynne: The Minister feels that Unland is not the type of person on whom Irish citizenship should be conferred. He sees no reason why Unland should not be left as he is. S.N. 18/12/51’

Marginal note: ‘Secretary, Good Enough! Will you be telling Coyne the verdict? A phone call might be the gentle way. M.R. 19.12.51’