An application to hold a conference of former members of the Irish defence forces in Armagh in 1965 caused a major security headache for the Stormont government, according to confidential files just released in Belfast.
In October 1965, the leading Nationalist Senator, J G Lennon from Armagh asked the Northern Minister of Home Affairs, Brian McConnell whether there would be any objection to a meeting of the Irish Ex-Servicemen's Association being held in Armagh in 1966. In a note, Mr J Owens of the Ministry of Home Affairs, noted: 'The Irish ex-Servicemen's Association is comprised of ex-members of the Eire army and ex-members of the IRA.'
The matter was referred to RUC Headquarters for consideration and on November 10, 1965 County Inspector S S Hopkins reported on the matter to the Minister of Home Affairs. He explained that the Irish ex-service organisation had its headquarters in Parnell Square West, Dublin where its patron was President Eamon de Valera. Its Northern Ireland organiser was based in Dungannon while there were branches in Armagh, Newry and Tyrone. According to police intelligence, the organisation based its activities on the lines of the British Legion and saw itself as the Legion's counterpart in the South. 'Membership is confined to veterans of the old IRA and Cumann na mBan and ex-members of the Eire army and Defence forces. It professes to be non-political and non-sectarian and its purpose is to look after the interests of its members, especially as far as pensions are concerned. Socially, the aim is to foster and keep alive "the national spirit".'
Hopkins stated that at the 1963 annual convention in Waterford, the local Church of Ireland rector, Rev E G Shearer was a guest. The police viewed the membership of the organisation as 'wholly republican' but added, 'there is no evidence to connect it directly with the present day IRA.' It was possible, he went on, that the Armagh convention was planned as part of the programme to celebrate the Jubilee of the 1916 Rising. While it was not possible to give a firm recommendation at this stage, but, assuming that it were held indoors and that there was no friction in the interim, it was not considered to pose a threat of trouble or serious controversy.
In the wake of the RUC assessment on January 3, 1966, the Minister, Brian McConnell telephoned Senator Lennon and informed him that the Irish Ex-Servicemen's Association would be welcome to hold their conference in Northern Ireland but that, in view of the fact that 1966 was the fiftieth anniversary of the Easter Rising, it would be better if the convention were not held in Armagh during that year. Senator Lennon said he appreciated the position and would do his best to persuade the Association to hold their convention elsewhere during 1966.