Ireland discussed UN role during Troubles

THE possibility of Northern Ireland being placed under a United Nations trusteeship with its own UN force was examined by the Irish government during the Troubles in the province.

- CILLIAN SHERLOCK

The arrangement was seen as a possibility for maintaining peace and minimising loss of life, and would have been part of a UN process designed towards helping regions towards self-government.

The plan was examined in a study deemed so secret that an Irish government memo warned it must be done without consulting the UN - or even Ireland’s mission to the UN in New York.

Confidential files being released today showed the special study, conducted by Mahon Hayes, was sent by Ireland’s attorney general Declan Costello to foreign affairs minister Dr Garret Fitzgerald for his personal consideration.

In a letter to Dr Fitzgerald on January 9, 1976, Mr Costello said he found the study “very helpful”.