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The IRA did not want Sinn Fein to get involved in the proposed back channel talks with the British to end the Troubles.
The message from a senior Irish official to his colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has recently been published by the National Archives under the 30-year rule.
The IRA Army Council told two prison chaplains in the spring of 1990 that it was prepared to enter into exploratory talks with the United Kingdom, according to the internal Irish government statement.
The two chaplains at Maze Prison near Lisburn, Reverend Will Murphy and Father John Murphy, had been trying to encourage inmates on both sides to stay away from the violence.
But the message said that the “least favored” approach of the IRA leaders to the talks was to involve Sinn Fein.
On May 4, 1990, Brendan McMahon, head of the Anglo-Irish Division, updated DFA Deputy Secretary Dermot Gallagher.
He wrote: “I had a conversation with Fr. Murphy on May 2, who indicated that they had just concluded a series of intense discussions with the IRA Army Council.
“Following these discussions, the two chaplains met with the four church leaders on May 1. At that meeting, the chaplains reported that the army council had clearly indicated to them their willingness to seek an alternative to the campaign of violence and, with this goal in mind, we are prepared to enter into exploratory talks with the British government. “
It was added, in parentheses: “Apparently there is no doubt at this stage of a ceasefire, although Fr. Murphy considered that, in case of talks, there would be, at the very least, a reduction in the intensity of the current Campaign.
“From the discussion between the chaplains and the four church leaders, it was agreed that the two primates (Cardinal Tomas O’Fiaich and Archbishop Eames) would jointly approach the secretary of state to see if the British government would be prepared. to enter into such conversations. “
“The approach was expected to be made the next day (May 3) or as soon as possible thereafter.”
Two chaplains had been working in Maze Prison (pictured from 1979) to encourage inmates to stay away from violence.
Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Brooke approved the reverse channel talks in the late 1990s and was seen as an important step towards the peace process.
McMahon’s statement read: “The Army Council’s preference is naturally that such conversations take place in public, although they accept that any conversation would probably have to take place in absolute secrecy.
“The IRA’s third option, and the least favored, would be conversations involving Sinn Fein.
“Fr Murphy commented that one thing that has struck him in the course of this initiative is the striking difference between the IRA and Sinn Fein, and members of the Army Council refer to Sinn Fein simply as’ the party which is closer to our opinion. ‘
“Murphy’s impression is that not all members of the Army Council are particularly in love with the socialist views championed by the current urban leadership of Sinn Fein.”
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