Northern Ireland leaders no match for Dublin, Thatcher aide said
MP later killed by IRA thought unionism ‘weak’ and Haughey’s tactics admirable
Conservative MP Ian Gow, who was killed in an IRA car bomb in 1990. Photograph: PA
Northern Ireland was at its “greatest moment of peril” because its political leaders were no match for the Dublin government, a close personal friend of Margaret Thatcher later assassinated by the IRA confided in a diplomat 30 years ago.
Documents stamped “confidential” and “seen by Taoiseach”, newly declassified under the 30-year rule, show Conservative MP Ian Gow thought unionism was “weak” while then taoiseach Charlie Haughey’s tactics were to be admired.