and which, in my opinion, was so petty and so ridiculous that it should never have been introduced. Joe, who had been in contact with Sean Russell arranged, together with the Clan Secretary, to bring Russell to the States and have him visit the Chapters all over the country. I told Joe that this would not alone be unconstitutional but also in defiance of the Army Council IRA who had suspended Russell and would regard such invitation as a most unfriendly action on the part of the Clan na Gael. I reminded Joe that the Army Council would, obviously, feel that Russell might try to plead his own case in America and, in doing so would then [154] blame the Army Council giving it very bad publicity. I had learned from a friend in Ireland that Joe was giving financial aid to Russell, so that he would have time and funds to organise delegates favourable to him for the next IRA Convention. This friend of mine was actively involved in the plan until I explained to him the very obvious harm it would do and that it might well lead to a serious split in the IRA, as well as in the Clan na Gael. I made it very clear to him that it would constitute an unwarranted act of interference into a domestic matter of the IRA. My friend was evidently told by someone that I was in agreement with the idea, which I was not, and that's why he got involved. Later, this same friend was involved in a number of other acts which were entirely useless and impractical, although he worked for them in good faith and with deep sincerity. Despite my pleading, Joe McGarrity and the Clan Secretary disagreed with me and, eventually, Russell arrived in America. Sometime later a Clan Convention was called at which a new man who hailed from Cork was elected. A few days after I was called to the Seville Hotel where I met Joe McGarrity, Sean Russell, and Sean Hayes. Evidently a discussion had been in progress on the election of the new Secretary and by the time I got there, Joe had been influenced sufficiently to support the idea that Brislane should be asked to resign as the Clan required someone "more experienced and suitable" to fill the position. I pounced on this and made it quite clear that this was a frightful indictment: ''Remember, gentleman", I said, "this man was rightfully elected by a majority vote which was taken constitutionally consequently. he is fully entitled to hold the position." I then added that, despite the new secretaries unfair, personally hostile attitude towards me, I would fully support him and strongly felt they should do likewise. [155] "If after his twelve months in office this man proves to be unsatisfactory", I continued, "we can then elect a new Secretary at the next annual Convention." My argument did no good, I failed to convince my fellow members, and Joe again stated that he would ask for his resignation. Once more I warned him: "Look, Joe, if you do that to the man, he will never forgive you for it. You will only succeed in turning him against you and the others and you will have gained nothing but a bitter enemy for the rest of his life." Then, I got up abruptly and left the hotel. Most unfortunately, Joe did call this man and, as I had foreseen, the latter was naturally deeply hurt and full of hostility at the treatment meted out to him. 16 He turned over the Secretary books to the late Jim McGuire and dealt the very much declining Clan a severe blow. Joe McGarrity relented and asked the New Secretary to cancel his resignation which he did but this only added to further bitterness and dis…. of the Clan [156] 1939 - Sean Russell Arrest. On June 6th, 1939 Sean Russell was arrested in Detroit. Joe McGarrity was also in Detroit at the time. The date of the arrest coincided with a state visit by the King and Queen of England to Washington via Canada. Meanwhile I was staying with Bill Carroll of Philadelphia at his summer place in Beach Haven, New Jersey. It was there that I got Joe McGarrity's phone call from Detroit: ''Listen, Connie, Sean Russell has been arrested here; get Jim McGranery (subsequently U.S. Attorney General) on the job right away and spare no expense to obtain Sean's release."
16 Handwritten notes on the manuscript, not all legible.
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