Margaret Thatcher’s moods, Garret FitzGerald’s outburst – a diplomat looks back
Late British diplomat David Goodall recalls the creation of the 1985 Anglo-Irish Agreement
Rialtas na hÉireann mí-shásta faoi chinneadh ar mhaoiniú Ghlór na nGael
Cuireadh in iúl do Rialtas na Breataine gur cheart athmhachnamh a dhéanamh
British government feared ‘tabloid scandal’ if it released Birmingham Six
State papers: The six Irishmen were jailed for life in 1975 after being wrongfully convicted of the murders of 21 people in IRA bomb attacks on two pubs
Thatcher ‘convinced’ Birmingham Six had no grounds for appeal
Haughey’s request for clemency for the six men in 1988 was rebuffed by Thatcher
1988: Gibraltar shootings, Dublin millennium, and Ray Houghton’s goal
State papers released under 30-year rule recall 12 months of violence in Northern Ireland
Major was furious with Clinton for granting Adams a visa
British felt move was ‘the finest platform ever granted to the IRA to justify terrorism’
President’s meeting with queen opened door to Irish-UK co-operation
Northern Ireland archives: ‘The Anglophobes with chips on their shoulders have been discomfited’ – British ambassador
British officials angry as RUC notified of tánaiste’s Antrim visit in Irish
Northern Ireland archives: Tánaiste ‘reportedly said it was his first official visit to Co Antrim as Minister for the Gaeltacht’
Irish-British relations: tensions rise as friends diverge
It seems clear strains over Brexit are leaking into the involvement of both countries in the North
British concerned over UDR credibility
State papers 1986: Regiment had become symbol of sectarian division and ‘hated’ by Catholics
Ruadhán Mac Cormaic: Who will be our friends now at the European table?
In the negotiations that will soon begin on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, the Irish Government will attempt to strike a delicate balance
State Papers: Tortuous road to Anglo-Irish Agreement
Thatcher had concerns, feared unionist reaction, but officials and FitzGerald pressed on
Ian Paisley rebuked for describing Bishop Daly as ‘black Pope’
North papers show Cardinal Ó Fiaich pressed for release of UVF murderer Gusty Spence
Keeping the lady onside for the Anglo-Irish Agreement
State Papers 1985: Taoiseach careful to keep Margaret Thatcher engaged during talks
David McKittrick: Robinson was key to allowing Paisley enter government with Sinn Fein
He concentrated on masterminding the DUP’s battle to displace the Ulster Unionist party while doubtless privately wondering when Paisley would retire.
Pragmatism wins out ahead of conviction
While Margaret Thatcher was unionist at heart, the situation in the North wasnot working. In Garret FitzGerald she found a leader to reach agreement with
Unionist leader said too many ‘kick the pope’ bands in marches
James Molyneaux made admission during 1985 talks over Orange parades
Berlin 25: The road to unification
The prospect of a united Germany faced huge hostility but became a reality just 11 months after the Berlin Wall fell
Civilian’s death was caused by rubber bullet
RUC commander gave the order to fire on an innocent woman in the street
Robinson ‘forceful, articulate, crafty’ while Hume likened to ‘Mother Teresa’
Sir Ken Bloomfield described the DUP leader in unusually glowing terms
Negative response to Anglo-Irish deal
Papers show ambivalence on part of Thatcher and Northern secretary King
‘Massive dose of inequality’ for nationalists in parades policy
Roles of Douglas Hurd and RUC chief constable in RUC decision to re-route controversial Orange parade in Portadown in 1985 revealed in confidential files
Dáil deputies are well employed listening to the concerns of their constituents
Opinion: genuine representation of the interests of voters should not be written off as parish pump politics
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