The government agreed to supply weapons to Northern nationalists in 1970 just before the attempted arms importation that led to the Arms Trial, according to a Prime Time programme to be broadcast on RT╔ this evening.
The programme's producer/reporter, Mr Michael Heney, has uncovered new documentary evidence concerning the orders which were given to the Army in February 1970 to prepare to provide "respirators, weapons and ammunition" within hours, if necessary.
Documents released at the start of this year under the 30-year rule revealed that these orders were given to the Army by the then minister for defence, Mr Jim Gibbons.
However, the new documents that form the basis of tonight's programme state that these orders were given on foot of a government agreement to supply arms, following discussions with Northern nationalists in which the Taoiseach, Mr Jack Lynch, was involved. The documents show that this was the clear understanding of the chief-of-staff, Gen Sean MacEoin.
At the time Mr Lynch and Mr Gibbons denied in the Dβil that such provision was ever contemplated.
Two ministers, Mr Charles Haughey and Mr Neil Blaney, were sacked from the cabinet and charged with an attempted illegal importation of arms, together with an Army intelligence officer, Capt James Kelly and a Belfast republican, Mr John Kelly. All four were acquitted.
The new material provides further support for the conclusion of the Arms Trial jury that the four men charged with attempted illegal arms importation were acting in line with a government decision, and that the planned importation was therefore legal.
The orders to get ready to hand over arms were given to the Army chief-of-staff by the minister for defence, Mr Gibbons, just hours after a government meeting instructed Mr Gibbons to do so, according to the documents.
The agreement to provide arms and ammunition in the event of a "doomsday" situation followed meetings between Mr Lynch and other ministers with nationalist delegations from the North, it says.
On foot of the order to the chief-of-staff, trucks were loaded with weapons in military barracks in Dublin and Athlone in readiness, and were at one stage driven to Dundalk as riots broke out in Belfast. Ultimately, they never crossed the Border.
The programme will also provide compelling evidence that no attempt was made to intimidate the jury that unanimously acquitted the four men charged with illegal importation. Many who believe the trial of the men was justified have claimed that they were only acquitted after jurors were intimidated.