Madam, - There are two substantial corrections required in response to Prof. O'Halpin's review of my biography of Lord Haw-Haw, Germany Calling. (December 6th).
He writes that "Joyce travelled to Berlin with his girl-friend, Dorothy". No: William Joyce travelled to Berlin, with his wife, Margaret, who plays a significant role in the narrative, and is referred to again and again, as Margaret Joyce. The error makes one wonder how carefully Prof. O'Halpin could have read the text.
The second point which I think must be clarified is where O'Halpin writes: "He \ is said to have associated with the Black and Tans in Galway city, though being so young he can hardly have done more than cheer them along." This is a question which cannot be dismissed so lightly.
William Joyce was suspected by the IRA of passing information to the Black and Tans, which could have had extremely serious consequences in 1920-21.
The nationalist priest, Father Michael Griffin, was murdered after someone gave information to the Crown Forces. The charge of some involvement in this case was never proved against William Joyce, and the priest who reburied him in 1976, Father O Laoi, was also the biographer of Father Michael Griffin, which might indicate that he accepted that the young Joyce was not involved: but it must be stated that rather more than "cheering [the Crown forces\] on" was suspected in 1920-21.
Prof. O'Halpin expressed the opinion that "even William Joyce deserves a better biography than this one". No doubt there will be more biographies in the future, since William Joyce is a complex character who compels a certain fascination: but most will draw upon the biography I have written because it contains original archival research and interviews with people associated with the Joyce story who have never been previously interviewed.
Professor O'Halpin is entitled to dislike my style of writing - although he is no master of engaging prose himself - but it is startlingly ungenerous of him to avoid mentioning the research on which the text is based. - Yours, etc.,
MARY KENNY, 15 Kildare Street, Dublin 2.