Charlie Haughey could face some new trauma in the New Year. But then again, he could emerge a hero. The State papers for 1970 will be released on January 1st under the 30-year secrecy rule and carefully screened academic/ media types have been into the archives in Dublin, Belfast and London for an advance examination. Their findings will be published in the papers on January 2nd. There is more than the usual excitement this year because 1970 was a dramatic time. The arms crisis broke on May 6th, when Jack Lynch sensationally sacked Haughey and Neil Blaney (the third cabinet minister to go, Kevin Boland resigned in sympathy) and there was mayhem in the North. The Dublin papers contain military intelligence reports on much subversive activity leading up to the night of drama.
The first day the papers were opened yielded little of interest but on day two, Quidnunc hears, a number of nuggets were discovered. Strict embargoes mean nothing can be revealed until January 1st. Similar trawls have been going on in Belfast and London. The Belfast papers give the official background on such memorable events as the Falls curfew, the visit of Paddy Hillery, then Minister for Foreign Affairs, whom the unionists complained had been smuggled in, the general escalation of the Troubles and, even then, endless rows over the banning of parades. The London state papers in the Public Record Office in Kew show little interest in Ireland - but what's new there? The dismissal of the two ministers is noted with the comment that Lynch should be let deal with it and the main theme of the year is industrial unrest.
Sources tell Quidnunc, though, that despite the dramatic events, we won't be getting the full story on January 1st. It is suspected that some sensitive material has been held back and that unfavourable references to living persons have undoubtedly been removed. Civil servants who are still serving will also be protected.