Dublin's Doomsday plan (1974)

international | crime and justice | news report

Thursday January 06, 2005 06:00

by Brendan Quinn

News Special: Dublin's Doomsday plan (released this week under the thirty year rule by Department of justice and Home Office)
The year 1974 was one of the most tumultuous of the Troubles. The power-sharing executive took office in January - only to be toppled by the Ulster Workers' Council strike five months later, and 303 people were murdered, including 206 civilians. Just-released Irish state papers reveal how the Republic's government considered 'Doomsday' plans to recruit 100,000 troops in case British withdrawal prompted widespread civil war in Ulster.

TOP secret 'Doomsday' plans were drawn up by the Dublin government 30 years ago in case British withdrawal prompted a civil war, and - in the worst-case scenario - led to an Irish army takeover of Northern Ireland.

Made public for the first time yesterday by the Republic's National Archive, secret files from 1974 indicate there was widespread alarm that Harold Wilson's new Labour Government would change its policy, and opt to pull out.

Drawn up in the wake of the collapse of the five-month-old Sunningdale power-sharing administration - brought down by the Ulster Workers' Council strike in May - the report shows senior officials were not expecting an "abrupt" withdrawal.

However, statements following the collapse of Sunningdale indicated that a rejection of British proposals for a settlement "must inevitably lead to a reappraisal of the whole Great Britain-Northern Ireland relationship", according to one of the files.

After a visit to Britain, an SDLP delegation told members of the Dublin government "there is a smell of it (withdrawal) in the air".

The report says "impressions from a meeting between the Taoiseach and Mr Wilson in April this year, and the views of a number of elected representatives from Northern Ireland, tend to bear out the view that feeling at constituency level in the UK in favour of withdrawal is a great deal stronger than it is expressed to be, in public, by British ministers".

It was against this background that then-Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave's Fine Gael/Labour coalition cabinet ordered, in July 1974, that a special Northern Ireland unit of senior officials should be beefed-up to make emergency plans.

According to the newly released documents, the unit drew up scenarios for a number of different border routes re-partitioning the island, how to deal with possible widespread civil strife in Northern Ireland triggered by a withdrawal, and the capacity of the Irish army to intervene.

A discussion paper said there was general agreement that an army move into Northern Ireland "could only be contemplated in a situation where inter-communal fighting was already so widespread that intervention could not make matters worse".

A full takeover would involve over 100,000 troops - compared with the Army's 11,300 strength in 1974. Of that 11,300 the report conceded that 5,500 were frontline troops with the rest making up support elements such as administration, stores and army bands.

The unit's report concludes with a warning that the belief a British withdrawal will be followed by unity "is not well-founded".

"It is more likely that a British withdrawal, if it is abrupt, would be followed by an attempt, possibly successful, to establish an independent state in Northern Ireland, initially over the entire six counties but, ultimately, over these areas now dominated by the majority there."

The report shows strategies were drawn up for dealing with a flood of Catholic refugees streaming across the border (including billeting them on Southern families), the economic implications of widespread civil strife, and how any enlarged Republic would be financed after re-partition.

It also considered an approach to the UN to have it administer Northern Ireland under a trusteeship for a limited period of, perhaps, 10 years.

The Inter-Departmental Unit (IDU) was chaired by Dermot Nally from the Taoiseach's office and included senior officials from Foreign Affairs, Finance, Defence and Justice.

Working with the 1971 census results in drawing up possible border lines for any new partition, the IDU was concerned about the large Catholic minorities in Belfast and Lisburn, and Protestant majorities in border areas like Castlederg and Enniskillen.

To deal with the situation, it considered "cantonment and enclave" solutions as used for Greek and Turkish areas following conflict in Cyprus, or making "a solid Catholic bloc" in west Belfast the subject of what is termed "a west Berlin-type situation".

Of the four partition scenarios drawn up, the minimum affected 161,000 Catholics and 132,000 Protestants if all of Co Fermanagh, Londonderry, Newry and parts of counties Armagh, Down and Tyrone became part of the Republic. In a maximum scenario that involved further parts of counties Londonderry, Tyrone and Armagh becoming part of the Republic, it would have involved 249,000 Catholics and 252,000 Protestants who lived in the areas.

The maximum scenario would have left 230,000 Catholics and 1.1m Protestants living in the remaining areas of Northern Ireland.

A Mr P Colwell, of the Department of Justice, ruled out any IRA takeover south of the border, saying the security forces would be in a position to deal with that. However, there was no doubt the IRA would attempt to gain control of areas just north of the border with the "overt or tacit" support of local people.

The IRA, he noted, would be unlikely to make any "enduring attempt" to take or hold areas deeper within Northern Ireland - even where there were no strong republican sympathies.

save preference

Comments (16 of 16)

the solution

Fri Jan 07, 2005 02:36

I think that we should seriously think about investing in the military of the 26 counties as a means to accomplishing Irelands 32 county destiny.

A full takeover would involve over 100,000 troops - compared with the Army's 11,300 strength in 1974. Of that 11,300 the report conceded that 5,500 were frontline troops with the rest making up support elements such as administration, stores and army bands.

A Solution Indeed!

by Nate Collins

Sun Jan 09, 2005 02:27

redshank at sbcglobal dot net

There are plenty of descendants of the Irish in America who are more than ready to give all and more to go back home and fight for our Irish homeland. I am just one...

how many years removed
from the green rolling hills of my dreams
in a land that fills my heart
that it was once traversed by me alone
and none to take, divide or plan
a place of still my dreams I yearn
and wish to see and feel and know
to awake from my sleep still there
to live out my years where I belong
in the land I know to be my own
from that very earth my flesh and blood
calls to me my Irish home.

A Solution Indeed

by South African Friend of Ireland

Sun Jan 09, 2005 10:31

Bravo to Nate Collins.

The British are desperate to get out of the Six Counties. The massive Irish lobby in the USA could and should be mobilised to accomplish that.

Perhaps a better solution would be reverse migration to the Six Counties to beef up the demographics in favour of securing an overwhelming Catholic majority, which I am led to believe is not too far off. Then Scotland can get back the scum of both the earth and the gutters which were sent to Ireland centuries ago.

oh dear you anc wanna be!!

by rooster

Wed Jan 12, 2005 13:31

you can't see the forest because of the trees!

This post shows one thing

Sat Jan 15, 2005 01:10

That for the republic to take the north the southern army, ie the real ogliagh na eirran
would have to increase its numbers to about 100,000, not very likely, so I guess we are stuck with the status quo for the forseeable future.

Yeah Rooster, Right.

Sat Jan 15, 2005 09:35

Yeah Rooster, just like your posting regarding the economy of The Republic.
Noticed you have been quiet on a lot of issues I have raised. The truth difficult to swallow? Chip on the shoulder starting to hurt?

A Solution Needed

by Tate

Sat Jan 15, 2005 12:07

Ó ró sé do bath abhaile
Ó ró sé do bath abhaile
Ó ró sé do bath abhaile
Anois ar thacht don Samharigh

An Irish song only the chourus here but if you know or can find the song you will know what i want to say and do ! An armed insurection would be the solution.

Song

Sat Jan 15, 2005 12:08

O/ro/ se/ do Bheath Abhaile

Se/ do bheatha a bhean ba le/anmhar
ba e/ a/r gcreach tu/ bheith i nge/ibheann
do dhu/iche bhrea/ i seilibh meirleach
's tu/ di/olta leis na galla!

curfa/:

O/ro/ se/ do bheatha 'bhaile
O/ro/ se/ do bheatha 'bhaile
O/ro/ se/ do bheatha 'bhaile
'Nois ar theacht an tsamhraidh.

Ta/ Gra/inne Mhaol ag teacht thar sa/ile;
O/glaigh armtha le/i mar gharda
Gaeil iad fe/in is ni/ Frainc na/ Spa/innigh;
Is cuirfidh siad ruaig ar Ghallaibh.

curfa/

A bhui/ le Ri/ na Bheart go bhfeiceann;
muna mbi/onn beo ina dheoidh ach seachtain,
Gra/inne Mhaol is mi/le gaisci/och;
ag fo/gairt fa/in ar Ghallaibh.

curfa/

Always a favourite wee song of mine that.

by Barry

Sat Jan 15, 2005 12:21

Highly relevant today still.

Solution

Sat Jan 15, 2005 14:07

Barry,

Being second generation, I was never
brought up in the Mother Tongue.

Can you please give me a translation of that
song.

Barry

Sat Jan 15, 2005 14:53

My Irish is atrocious, as I pointed out in another post. If I tried a literal translation, no doubt thered be a barrage of smart alecs pouring scorn.

However the song is a very famous one here in Ireland. Its called "oro se do bheatha bhaile" which loosely translated means "oro and welcome home" It was written by Patrick Pearse.

It refers to a famous gaelic woman cheiftain, known as Grannuaille (Grace OMalley) from the early 17th century, whose fleet of ships and warriors terrorised the English along Irelands west coast.

The song is basically about Grannuaille returning to Ireland fom the sea with a large army of Irish men, who will bring absolute ruin on the english.

"anois ar theacht ar samhraidh" means "and now its nearly summer"
Pearse is prophesising the eventual uprising against British rule which will take place ( basically good times are coming).

Perhaps someone whos a bit more proficient in the language would give you a more literal translation. A few of the words are eluding me just now.

But its a lovely wee song I grew up with. Always a favourite.

Translation

Sat Jan 15, 2005 15:45

Cheers Barry. What would we do without you on this site? There's another compliment for DD to get upset about.

On reading your posting, I seem to recall Planxty doing a rendition of this song. I may be wrong, but the theme seems to ring a bell with me.

RE : SAFI

Sat Jan 15, 2005 16:27

Although not really a fave band of mine, the Wolfe Tones actually do a very good,lively and stirring rendition of this grand wee song. Not sure what album its on but very good.

Rooster You are a Scream

Sun Jan 16, 2005 09:34

I hope that you read your exam paper(s) more carefully than you do the postings of Barry and myself, and by doing so understand your questions because you certainly don't understand the truth that we post.

Regarding my last posting you are obviously confusing the massive economic success of a tiny nation with your bigoted views. I was referring to economics and in previous postings also reminded you of certain historical facts which you have chosen to ignore probably because they involved the physical abuse of the minority of the people of the Six Counties.

I will say one thing in your favour though Rooster, unlike Devil Dog, you don't appear to have a filthy mouth when writing your postings. Maybe you have had a tad more education than he has.

previous postings also reminded you of certain historical facts which you have chosen to ignore

Mon May 23, 2005 23:59

I don't think I ignored any historic facts.

Oro se do bheatha bjeile

by Alaisdar

Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:37

alexmercatone at yahoo dot com

Óró, you are welcome home
Óró 's é do bheatha 'bhaile Óró, you are welcome home
Óró 's é do bheatha 'bhaile Óró, you are welcome home
Anois ar theacht an tsamhraidh Now at the coming of summer

'S é do bheatha, a bhean ba léanmhar Oh welcome home, my troubled woman
B'é ár gcreach tú 'bheith i ngéibhinn Through your plight we feel great anguish
Do dhúthaigh bhreá i seibh méirleach Your fine lands in enemy hands
'S tú díolta leis na Gallaibh And betrayed to the English

(Chorus)

Tá Gráinne Mhaol ag teacht thar sáile Gráinne Mhaol coms over the sea
Óglaigh armtha léi mar gharda Well-armed legions there to guard her
Gaeil iad féin is ní gaill ná Spáinnigh No Spanish, English, but Gaels all
Is cuirfidh siad ruaig ar Ghallaibh To rid us of our foe

(Chorus)

A bhuí le Rí na bhfeart go bhfeicim I pray that I will live to see
Mura mbheinn beo 'na dhiaidh ach seachtain Should I live but one week longer
Gráinne Mhaol is míle gaiscíoch Gráinne Mhaol and a thousand warriors
Ag fógairt fáin ar Ghallaibh Wage war on the foreign aggressor

(Chorus three times)
Alaisdar, romanian fan of the irish people

Number of comments per page

Upcoming Events

New Events

Other Press

User Preferences

Feeds

Blog Feeds

Anti-Empire

The Saker

Public Inquiry

Voltaire Network

Dublin's Doomsday plan (1974)

Comments (16 of 16)