With reference to your Minute S.77 of yesterday¹, we have today received the following reply to our enquiry regarding the three old 'trophy' guns at Cobh.

'Efforts have been made by the authorities concerned to ascertain the history of these guns, but without result. It is believed that they have no historical value and are simply samples of antiquated British ordnance, but only a detailed examination of the guns can really determine their history. It might be possible to arrange for such an examination to be carried out by one of the armourers still at Cobh on loan to the Éire forces. Would you let me know whether the Éire authorities would like this done?'