LYNCH TAKES SEAT IN CHURCH; RECEIVES COMMUNION; LEAVES CHURCH; LYNCH ON FERRY.




Initials LH/VS/CR/SC



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Background: THE PRIME MINISTER OF THE IRISH REPUBLIC, MR. JOHN LYNCH ARRIVED IN HONG KONG ON SATURDAY (AUGUST 10) ON A PRIVATE VISIT AS PART OF A WORLD TOUR TO BOOST TRADE FOR THE REPUBLIC. AMONG HIS ENGAGEMENTS WAS A VISIT TO THE "WAH YAN COLLEGE" IN KOWLOON, WHERE HE MET ROMAN CATHOLIC PRIESTS AND NUNS.

MR. LYNCH'S TOUR HAS ALREADY TAKEN HIM TO SOUTH EAST ASIA AND INDIA. AFTER A FORMAL VISIT TO NEW DELHI, HE MADE UNOFFICIAL STOPS IN BANGKOK AND HONG KONG ON HIS RETURN ROUTE.

AT HONG KONG, HE WAS MET AT KAI TAK AIRPORT BY THE CONSUL FOR THE IRISH REPUBLIC, MR. DESMOND F. O'REILLY MAYNE, Q.C., AND THE DIRECTOR OF PROTOCOL, CAPTAIN C. PEEL YATES, WHO REPRESENTED THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT.

MR LYNCH YESTERDAY (AUGUST 12) LEFT HONG KONG ON HIS WAY TO TOKYO.