The response of the Irish State to subversion, 1969-1981

Abstract

The violence associated with the modern Northern Irish imbroglio prompted a significant escalation in paramilitary activity within the Irish State. This project assesses the various political, legislative and security responses employed by successive Irish governments to counter subversion within the Republic between 1969 and 1981. Structurally, the thesis begins with an analysis of events surrounding the Arms Crisis and couches this in terms of the overall approach of this Fianna Fáil Government (1969-1973) to counter-subversion, before proceeding to examine the security responses of this administration in the post-Arms Crisis period. This is followed by an examination of the various counter-subversive measures adopted by the subsequent Fine Gael-Labour 'National Coalition' (1973-1977), and seeks to determine the extent to which the pervasive popular view of this Government as a tough 'law and order' administration is justified. Finally, in assessing the security policies of the subsequent Fianna Fáil governments led by Jack Lynch (1977-1979) and Charles Haughey (1979-1981) respectively, it shall determine the extent to which these administrations adopted a 'softer' approach to republican subversion.