Extracts from a memorandum by Seamus MacÚgo
'Deputation from South Armagh Constituency Committee of Irish Anti-Partition League'

[matter omitted]

4. 1. The deputation informed the Taoiseach that there were allegations in South Armagh of co-operation in political matters between the Garda authorities and the RUC¹. In this connection, Mr. O Fearrain inquired if it was a fact that when the Six-County boys came to join the Army or the LDF² in the Twenty-six Counties the authorities here got reports on them from the RUC. Mr. McGleenan said that on one occasion when he suggested that the local clergymen could furnish evidence of character in cases of Six-County persons wishing to join the Army here he was told that the Army ‘had its own methods of screening’. Mr. O Gallchobhair said that a well-known plain-clothes policeman in the Six Counties, who is notorious for tracking down nationalists, was known to call frequently to the Garda Barracks at Dundalk. Mr. Quinn said that a witness from the Twenty-six Counties recently gave evidence in a Six-County court case where an Old IRA pensioner had been charged with an offence under the Unemployment Assistance Acts. Old IRA pensioners in the Six Counties do not, it was stated, want the Six-County authorities to know they are in receipt of those pensions.
   2. The Taoiseach said there was, of course, co-operation in criminal matters between the police authorities North and South but that there was no co-operation whatever in political matters. While he was not familiar with the details of the court case mentioned, his recollection was that only the minimum assistance was to be given to the Six-County authorities by the Department here.

5. 1. The deputation then referred to the political position in the Parliamentary Constituency of South Armagh. Mr. O Fearrain said that with the increase in the number of nationalist political parties in the Six Counties the position generally was more fluid than ever. The majority of nationalist opinion in South Armagh supported Mr. McGleenan, who was a convinced abstentionist from Stormont. The organisation had been up to now associated with the Irish Anti Partition League and the practice had been that each constituency could decide for itself as regards abstention or attendance at Stormont. Mr. McGleenan had been elected by the people to represent them in the Dáil but he had been refused admission there. The deputation felt strongly that the admission of elected representatives of the Six Counties to the Dáil would be a progressive step at the present time and would provide the basis for unity amongst the different nationalist organisations in the Six Counties. The entry of Sinn Féin into the political field was adding new difficulties because that organisation refused to recognise either the Twenty-six Counties or Six-Counties Governments and advo cated the use of force to end Partition. In the forthcoming General Election for the British Parliament nationalists felt they must oppose the Unionist candidates and for that reason would find themselves obliged to support the Sinn Féin candidates. The deputation stated that they hoped to be able to arrange for the holding of a Republican Convention shortly in South Armagh when the question of attendance at Stormont and other matters would be considered. They hoped to be able to report to the Taoiseach on the outcome of this Convention.
   2. The Taoiseach stated that he was anxious to maintain contact with Six-County nationalist opinion and to get all the information possible from their public representatives. He regretted that the idea of a Unity Council had not been successful but he hoped that, if consultation and co-operation between the Government and Northern nationalist opinion as a whole could not be secured, it might be maintained at least in a regional way. He said he was keeping an open mind on the question of abstention or attendance at Stormont. There were arguments both ways but if those who attended Stormont or Westminster did not use the Parliaments as a sounding board to broadcast their case and their grievances and generally make their presence felt attendance at such Parliaments would seem to be useless. With regard to admission of Six-County representatives to the Dáil, the Taoiseach said that while the question was decided for the moment this decision was not necessarily final. He would, however, like to know what effect admission to the Dáil would have on the activities of those who sought to solve Partition by the use of force, and generally would require to be convinced as to how such a course would help effectively to end Partition.
   3. A long discussion ensued on the general position in the North, the deputation in particular stressing the dangers and irritations the people suffered by reason of the activities of the armed Constabulary. They expressed satisfaction with the idea of the maintenance of close contact, co-operation and exchange of ideas with the Government so as to comfort the people in the North in their feeling that they were isolated from the Republic and that nothing was being done for them.
   4. It was agreed that there should be further meetings from time to time.