In the 1930s, Ireland instructed all of its consul officials in Europe not to issue visas to Jewish refugees, but the country was also in a state of economic stagnation at the time and Seán Lemass realised that new industries would help the country. An Irish Jewish businessman, Marcus Witztum, offered to help him and went to Paris, met Henri Orbach there who owned a small hat factory and suggested he open a business in Ireland, a safer place for people of the Jewish persuasion than continental Europe. Orbach agreed.
In the 1930s, Ireland instructed all of its consul officials in Europe not to issue visas to Jewish refugees, but the country was also in a state of economic stagnation at the time and Seán Lemass realised that new industries would help the country. An Irish Jewish businessman, Marcus Witztum, offered to help him and went to Paris, met Henri Orbach there who owned a small hat factory and suggested he open a business in Ireland, a safer place for people of the Jewish persuasion than continental Europe. Orbach agreed.