But David Gray, who was in his 70s, was livid over the report in The Ladies Home Journal and slated it as “an untruthful and mischievous fabrication”.
He was related to Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of Franklin D Roosevelt, then US president.
Mr Gray was appointed as the US Ambassador to Ireland in 1940 despite not having any background in diplomacy or international relations.
He quickly became a focus of tensions between Ireland, London and Washington, DC, when he was openly critical of Ireland’s decision to remain neutral during World War II – and, in particular, of the failure by Ireland to open its strategic ports to allow the Atlantic approaches to be defended against German u-boat attack.
A major controversy erupted in December 1942 over alleged remarks made by Mr Gray.
He met an American journalist who was visiting Europe. During a conservation, he was alleged to have said that Ireland was awash with spies from Germany, Italy and Japan.
He said that there were “scores” of consular attaches from those three Axis powers in Ireland – most of whom were involved in espionage matters.
When America needs Ireland they are not standing with us
In one remark, he allegedly said there were more than 80 staff working at the German legation offices in Dublin.
Mr Gray’s remarks were published by The Ladies Home Journal, which was co-edited by Charles Gould.
One of the most cutting of the remarks by Mr Gray was his suggestion that while America had helped Ireland to gain its freedom “when America needs Ireland they are not standing with us”.
Mr Gray’s statement is what is known as a ‘diplomatic denial’
Mr Gray was incandescent over the article and the furore it sparked on both sides of the Atlantic.
“[The article was] not only unauthorised and a violation of the code of decent journalists, but as it appeared in the press was an entirely untruthful and mischievous fabrication,” the ambassador said in one Department of Foreign Affairs report.
However, the journal refused to back down and insisted what was printed was accurate.
“These are the facts. Mr Gray’s statement is what is known as a ‘diplomatic denial’,” the publication said.
Ireland was desperate to clarify the reality of the situation with Axis representatives in Dublin.
One department memo noted that the Irish legation in Washington had confirmed there were only six staff in the Italian and German Legations in Dublin – and not the 80 as claimed by Mr Gray.
Further, Irish officials stressed there was no transmitter link with their home countries – and all communications with Berlin had to go through London.
Hitler will go to Éire, hire a magnificent lodge and live happily ever after
Later in the war, when it was apparent that the collapse of Nazi Germany was imminent, George Bernard Shaw was quoted in one journal when he said, half in jest, that Adolf Hitler would flee to Ireland.
The writer was queried about whether he believed Hitler would take his own life rather than allow himself to be captured by the Soviets, Americans or British.
“Nonsense. I know lots of people who think he will hang as they seemed to think about the Kaiser last time. But I think he will go to Éire, hire a magnificent lodge and live happily ever after,” the writer said.