Was Dev to blame for loss of national record?

THE recent news that the census returns for 1901 and 1911 are to be made available on the internet is very welcome.

However, I have already got copies of those returns at my local library where they are stored on film.

How much more interesting it would be if returns for the previous censuses were not lost as a result of the inglorious destruction of the Custom House in the Civil War. A recent RTÉ radio programme, presented by historian Diarmaid Ferriter, told us this was done on the return of Eamon de Valera from the US in order to demonstrate that he was still in control.