I have just learned with great distress and deep regret of Joe’s death in Cairo. It was my earnest desire that I should see him again in a few months here in Ireland where, as he told me, he intended to return before settling down in Rome. I had so much to discuss with him, so many matters on which I required his views and guidance. He is a great loss to us all and our great consolation is that his saintly life is now reaping for him a rich reward.

To me he was more than a life long friend and valued adviser. He was in reality one of my family and all the members of the family regarded him as such. My wife was deeply distressed at the news as Joe held a high place in her affections. His Godchild, my daughter Eavan, was also deeply grieved as there existed a very strong bond of affection between them.

I hope, some time, that Joe’s services to Ireland will be valued at their real worth. His work before the Treaty was highly important but his services in connection with the building up of the State and the expansion of our foreign affairs and policy over the years was of inestimable value. He crowned his life’s work by the position he created for himself as Ambassador to the Holy See, by the esteem and affection in which he was personally held by the Holy Father, and the increasing influence and prestige of our country which was due to his untiring work.

Please accept my very sincere condolences. I fully realise what his loss must mean to you personally.