Volume 5 1936~1939


Doc No.
Date
Subject

No. 225 NAI DFA Secretary's Files S77

Memorandum from Joseph P. Walshe to Seán T. O Ceallaigh on the return of the Treaty ports

Dublin, 27 September 1938

The Tánaiste.
Colonel Eadie of the War Office called at the High Commissioner's Office yesterday evening, and requested that every effort should be made to expedite as quickly as possible the transfer of the harbour defences at Berehaven and Lough Swilly. Colonel Eadie stated that the matters in dispute regarding a 12-pounder gun at Berehaven and one or two minor matters seem to be the only things holding up the transfer. The War Office are ready to waive their point of view in order to obtain an early evacuation. Colonel Eadie asked to be informed immediately of the earliest possible date on which the transfer could take place.

I shall be very grateful if you will find an opportunity of discussing this matter with the Minister for Defence1 and letting me know what reply I am to send2.

1 Frank Aiken.

2 Handwritten marginal note by Sheila Murphy: 'Minister/Defence informed Secy. that he wd. be ready to take over both ports on Thursday 29th Sept. Secy. has informed H/C on phone. SGM 29/7/38'.