My telegram No. 4.¹ Three bombs were dropped at 7.45 p.m. last night near Ballymurrin, Co. Wexford, and two at 3.55 a.m. this morning in Donore Avenue, South Circular Road.² Some houses demolished and several people injured.

Bomb fragments found at Duleek and Julianstown, Co. Louth, have also been identified as German. Investigation of bombings at other places, including those bombed last night, is proceeding. The evidence found at Duleek, Julianstown and the Curragh, coupled with the fact that the bombings at these places coincided with a German raid on Merseyside, and those last night with a raid on Cardiff, makes it only too clear that German planes are responsible. You must therefore make an energetic protest at once at continued violation of our air-space in breach of assurance given to you on 4th December (your 92).³ We expect an early apology, which we would wish to publish on receipt, and we must of course hold German Government liable for damage caused. For the moment, however, the most important thing is that there should be no recurrence. Strongly urge that measures should be taken immediately to ensure this. Any idea that the German bombs were dropped by British planes is untenable, if for no other reason than that the consequences of discovery if planes were shot down would be too great.

Now ascertained bombs at Borris, Co. Carlow, which caused three deaths, also of German origin.