‘Mr Haughey's silence condemns him’: Charles J. Haughey and the second Republican hunger strike, 1981

ABSTRACT

This article examines Charles J. Haughey's involvement with the second Republican hunger strike, which lasted from March to October 1981. For the first time it reveals the true extent of how Haughey, Fianna Fáil leader and taoiseach during the depths of this crisis, was forced to play a marginal role, banished to the political side-lines. His repeated attempts to act as a mediator between British prime minister Margaret Thatcher and the Republican movement, in an effort to bring the hunger strike to an amicable conclusion, was an abject failure.

KEYWORDS:

• hunger strike
• Charles Haughey
• Margaret Thatcher
• Bobby Sands

Notes

1. See comments by Owen Carron, Bobby Sands’ election agent, 4 May 1981. Linen Hall Library, Belfast, Northern Ireland Political Collection (NIPC), ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 1, marked ‘general’.

2. This article has utilised the follow department files from the National Archives of Ireland (NAI): the Department of the Taoiseach (DT) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

3. This article has utilised the follow department files from the National Archives of the United Kingdom (NAUK): the Northern Ireland files (CJ); the Foreign and Commonwealth Office files (FCO); and Prime Minister's Office (PREM).

4. This article has utilised the follow department files from the Public Records Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI): Northern Ireland Office (NIO) and Northern Ireland Information Service (INF).

5. The Margaret Thatcher Papers (THCR) are held in the Churchill Archives Centre (CAC).

6. This article has utilised the Fianna Fáil Party Papers (P176) and Patrick Hillery Papers (P205) held in University College Dublin Archives (UCDA).

7. This article has utilised several ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’ Boxes deposited in the Linen Hall Library (LHL), Belfast, Northern Ireland Political Collection (NIPC).

8. Located on the site of a former Royal Air Force airfield, the Maze Prison ‘opened as an internment camp in 1971 and at times housed up to 1,700 prisoners, including many of the most notorious paramilitary offenders'. See http://www.britannica.com/topic/Maze-prison

9. In relation to the two Republican hunger strikes of 1980 and 1981, respectively, the term ‘Republican’ is collectively used in this article to refer to members of the PIRA and INLA.

10. For further reading of the British government policy towards ‘political prisoners’ in Northern Ireland between 1972 and 1979, see Hennessey (2014: 10–36).

11. Confidential DFA memorandum, ‘Long-Kesh and Armagh prisoners’ protest and hunger strike’. 4 December 1980. NAI Department of the Taoiseach (DT) 2010/19/1617.

12. Confidential DFA memorandum, ‘Long-Kesh and Armagh prisoners’ protest and hunger strike’. 4 December 1980. NAI DT 2010/19/1617.

13. Author's interview (telephone) with Lord Robert Armstrong, 27 October 2015.

14. Confidential DFA memorandum, ‘Long-Kesh and Armagh prisoners’ protest and hunger strike’. 4 December 1980. NAI DT 2010/19/1617.

15. See, for example, NAI DT 2010/19/1617 and NAI DT 2010/2//22.

16. See, for example, copy of a private message from Haughey to Thatcher, 23 October 1980. NAI DT 2010/53/928/1.

17. Confidential DFA memorandum, ‘Long-Kesh and Armagh prisoners’ protest and hunger strike’. 4 December 1980. NAI DT 2010/19/1617.

18. Copy of statement issued on behalf of the National H-Block Committee, 27 October 1980. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 5, ‘National Smash H-Block Committee’.

19. Instead the British government proposed a counter offer that prisoners would be permitted to wear civilian clothing supplied by prisoners’ families, to be worn during visits and recreation; civilian-type clothing during the working day; free association at weekends; and the prospect of restored remission. On the central issues regarding control and authority, however, London refused to budge. See Hennessey (2014: 117). See also Moloney (2002: 202–208).

20. It is beyond the scope of this article to analyse the precise reasons why the first Republican hunger strike was brought to an end. For further details, see Hennessey (2014: 117–118); English (2012: 195); and Moloney (2002: 235–244).

21. Haughey to Thatcher, 19 December 1980. NAUK PREM 19/504.

22. See confidential Irish government document, ‘Prison protests in Northern Ireland: general briefing note’, mid-1981. NAI DT 2011/39/1814. See also Hennessey (2014: 150–151).

23. For an in-depth analysis of the British government's public and private response and attitude to the second Republican hunger strike from March to October 1981, see Hennessey (2014: 150–457).

24. Thatcher to Haughey, 25 February 1981. NAUK PREM 19/504.

25. Record of conversation between Dermot Nally and Robert Armstrong. See Armstrong to Stowe, 4 February 1981. NAUK PREM 19/507.

26. Record of interview by Haughey, RTÉ’s lunch-time news, 13 April 1981. NAI DFA 2012/59/1606.

27. Record of telephone conversation between Nally and Armstrong. See Armstrong to Sanders, 22 April 1981. NAUK PREM 19/504.

28. Armstrong to Sanders, 22 April 1981 (recollection of the former's previous conversation with Nally). NAUK PREM 19/504.

29. Figg to FCO, 22 April 1981. NAUK PREM 19/504.

30. See NAUK PREM 19/504.

31. Record of notes by unknown Irish official recounting a conversation with Figg, 24 April 1981. NAI DT 2011/39/1892. See also NAUK PREM 19/504.

32. Text of statement issue by Haughey, 25 April 1981. NAI DT 2011/39/1892.

33. Copy of statement issued on behalf of Bobby Sands, 25 April 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 1, ‘general’.

34. Record of conversation between Owen Carron and Sands, circa early May 1981. See ‘Belfast Republican Press Centre T/40 46841 Telex No. 74523’. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 1, ‘general’.

35. Copy of statement issued on behalf of Owen Carron, 4 May 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 1, marked ‘general’.

36. Record of conversation between Owen Carron and Sands, circa early May 1981. See ‘Belfast Republican Press Centre T/40 46841 Telex No. 74523’. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 1, marked ‘general’.

37. Copy of statement issued on behalf of Gerry Adams, circa early-May 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 1, marked ‘general’.

38. See Christina Carney to Haughey, 9 May 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 5, marked ‘National Smash H-Blocks/Armagh Committee’.

39. Over the summer months of 1981 eight more men died on hunger strike: Raymond McCreesh, Patsy O'Hara, Joe McDonnell, Martin Hurson, Kevin Lynch, Kieran Doherty, Thomas McElwee and Micky Devine.

40. Comments by Haughey. See record of Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting, 6 May 1981. UCDA P176/449.

41. Record of discussions between Haughey and Malachy McCreesh, Teresa McCreesh and Elizabeth O'Hara, 13–14 May 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 5, marked ‘National Smash H-Blocks/Armagh Committee’.

42. Figg to FCO, 5 May 1981. NAUK PREM 19/504.

43. Record of meeting between, Thatcher, Atkins and Kennedy, 13 May 1981. PRONI NIO/12/220A. See also NAUK PREM 19/504.

44. Record of meeting between, Thatcher, Atkins and Kennedy, 13 May 1981. PRONI NIO/12/220A. See also Figg to FCO, 13 May 1981. NAUK PREM 19/504.

45. Letter from Monaghan county council to Lenihan. 5 May 1981. NAI DT 2012/59/1674.

46. See NAI DT 2012/59/1674-1675. See also letter from Monaghan county council to Lenihan, 5 May 1981. NAI DT 2012/59/1674; and handwritten letter from O'Shea to Haughey, 2 April 1980. NAI DT 2012/59/1674.

47. Copy of petition issued to Haughey on behalf of the Republican hunger strikers’ relatives. 19 May 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 5, marked ‘National Smash H-Blocks/Armagh Committee’.

48. Copy of statement issued on behalf of the families of the Republican hunger strikers, 12 May 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 5, marked ‘National Smash H-Blocks/Armagh Committee’. For further reading related to popular protest in the context of the Republican hunger strikes see Ross, Smashing H-Block.

49. See Irish Times, 20 May 1981.

50. See Irish Times, 20 May 1981.

51. Record of Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting, 20 May 1981. UCDA P176/449.

52. Copy of speech delivered by Haughey re: Northern Ireland, 8 May 1981. NAI DT 2012/59/1674.

53. Record of speech by Haughey, 13 May 1981. NAUK PREM 19/504.

54. Copy of letter from Michael Alexander to Roy Harrington, 12 May 1981. PRONI NIO 12/220A. See also NAUK PREM 19/504. This intervention by Nally was later that day described as a ‘personal message’ on behalf of Haughey and thus should be given urgent attention. See letter from R. Harrington to Marshall, 12 May 1981. PRONI NOI 12/197A.

55. Comments by Haughey. See record of Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting, 20 May 1981. UCDA P176/449.

56. Record of meeting between, Thatcher, Atkins and Kennedy, 13 May 1981. PRONI NIO/12/220A. See also NAUK PREM 19/504.

57. Figg to FCO, 13 May 1981. NAUK PREM 19/504.

58. Copy of letter from Michael Alexander to Roy Harrington, 12 May 1981. PRONI NIO 12/220A.

59. See Tatham, British Embassy in Dublin to FCO, 22 May 1981. NAUK CJ 4/3664.

60. Patrick Hillery private diary entry, 22 May 1981. UCDA P205/104.

61. Copy of the National H-Block/Armagh Committee press statement, 29 May 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 5, marked ‘National Smash H-Blocks/Armagh Committee’.

62. Anti-H Block 1981 general election leaflet on behalf of Vincent Doherty, ‘Make the H-Block an issue’. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 4, marked ‘Republic of Ireland leaflets’.

63. Anti-H Block 1981 general election leaflet, ‘For action H-Block’. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 4, marked ‘Republic of Ireland leaflets’.

64. Anti-H Block leaflet, ‘Picket of Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis’, circa April 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 4, marked ‘Republic of Ireland leaflets’.

65. See Eamon Kennedy's comments to Moriarty re: Haughey's reaction to Thatcher's speech of 28 May 1981. Note by Moriarty, ‘Prime Minister's speech: Irish reaction’, 1 June 1981. PRONO NIO 12/251A.

66. See, for example, Anti-H Block 1981 general election leaflet, ‘For action H-Block’. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 4, marked ‘Republic of Ireland leaflets’.

67. See Armstrong minute to Thatcher (recorded of conversation between Armstrong and Nally), 18 June 1981. NAUK PREM 19.505.

68. Copy of letter from private secretary Michael Alexander, 23 June 1981. PRONI NIO 12/202.

69. See, for example, copy of letter from Haughey to Thatcher, 23 June 1981. PRONI NIO 12/202.

70. Armstrong minute to Thatcher (recorded of conversation between Armstrong and Nally), 25 June 1981. NAUK PREM 19/505.

71. British record of conversation between Armstrong and Nally, 26 June 1981.NAUK PREM 19/505. See also Armstrong minute to Thatcher, 25 June 1981. NAUK PREM 19/505.

72. Figg to FCO, 27 June 1981. NAUK CJ 4/3664.

73. Doherty was the eight hunger striker to die, passing away on 2 August 1981.

74. IMS report, ‘a review of research data’ for the 1981 general election. UCDA P176/846.

75. IMS report, ‘a review of research data’ for the 1981 general election. UCDA P176/846.

76. See document entitled, The way forward, unsigned and undated, circa April/May 1981. LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 5, marked ‘National Smash H-Blocks/Armagh Committee’. In correspondence with this author Richard McAuley (Office of Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams) suggested that Adams was not the author of The way forward. Author's email correspondence with Richard McAuley and Gerry Adams, respectively, 14 and 17 April 2015. However, an additional document recording the agenda for a National H-Block/Armagh Conference held in Dublin in mid-May 1981 states under No. 5 of its agenda: ‘The Way Forward by Gerry Adams (20 minutes)’. See LHL NIPC ‘H-Block/Hunger Strike’, Box No. 5, marked ‘National Smash H-Blocks/Armagh Committee’. A copy of Adams's speech, The way forward (dated 10 May 1981) is available from LHL NIPC, shelf mark, P2671.

77. The way forward, unsigned and undated, circa April/May 1981.

78. See Adams's speech, The way forward (dated 10 May 1981). A copy is available from LHL NIPC, shelf mark, P2671. See also Hughes (2015: 49–50).

79. This argument is support by Thomas Hennessey. See Hennessey (2014: 458).

80. At the 1981 Sinn Féin Ard Fheis Morrison argued that Sinn Féin did not need to dilute its commitment to physical force as a result of the party deciding to complement entering mainstream politics. ‘Who here really believes we can win the war through the ballot box? But will anyone here object if, with a ballot paper in this hand, and an Armalite in this hand, we take power in Ireland?’ Quoted in English (2012: 224–225). See also Fenney (2002: 292–333).

81. See comments by Haughey. Irish Times, 2 September 1981.

82. See comments by Carron. Irish Times, 2 September 1981.

83. For example, a survey of Haughey's speeches during the 1981 general election campaign (January/February) supports the argument that he intentionally refrained from speaking about Northern Ireland. See comments by Haughey at a gathering at Holmpatrick Hotel, Skerries, 29 January 1982. UCDA P176/847. See also comments by Haughey, Irish Press, 29 January and 17 February 1982, respectively. Moreover, the official Fianna Fáil ‘Election ’82’ canvas manual made no reference to Northern Ireland. Instead Fianna Fáil activists were encouraged to speak about the ‘instability’ and ‘broken promises’ of the previous Fine Gael-Labour coalition governments. See copy of Fianna Fáil general election leaflet, ‘Election ’82’ canvas manual, February 1982. UCDA P176/847.