Handwritten memorandum (23 points) by [ ] given to Brendan Duddy by 'Rob' at Barton's house, Limavady (County Londonderry). Asking questions as to the economic survival of Northern Ireland 'if new political arrangements were introduced', and making allowance for a transitional period of continued British subsidy; touching on protectionism, nationalisation/ increase of public sector, membership of the EEC. Attached: typed copy. (Captions by Brendan Duddy and [Éamonn Downey] identify the originator of the item; [Downey] cross-referencing to the diary entry for the same date, POL35/57.) [Éamonn Downey identifies code names 'Coffeeman' as Frank Lagan, 'Ponyman' [ ], and 'Yellowman' as Frank Cooper.] NOTE: the captions are not available for consultation.
Handwritten memorandum (3 pp, post 9 June 1975) by [ ] entitled 'Points not cleared': concerning hoped-for release of internees (Brian McIvor, Joe Clarke); asking to review certain cases of individuals under special scrutiny; raising new points including the case of Fr Michael Connolly, Wolverhampton, allegedly removed from parish following government pressure. (Caption by [Éamonn Downey] identifying handwriting. Dating by listing of an incident at Ballymaguigan on given date, involving Francis McCusker.) [Downey places this in the context of the Provisional Army Council meetings; no direct correspondence with a copy surviving in POL35/ 59.]
Typescript memorandum by [ ] entitled 'The collected works of Mr.C Volume 2', seemingly reporting on another person's views but also [his] own, informing [the British government] of the Provisional IRA's development, mindset and likely actions in different scenarios, and notably their reaching an understanding that even if Britain withdrew, the government would not fall into their hands. Advising British on likely outcomes of alliances; views of the SDLP, of Paisley; advising them to show generosity towards the Provisionals to avoid a return to violence and to allow them some of the glory. 'The next new point is that you [the Provos] don't get to run a country overnight. This was a victory I achieved 18 months ago after 1 1/2 years' hard work.' [Éamonn Downey could not ascertain origin of this piece.]
Handwritten notes by [ ] from [a meeting with members of the Provisional Republican Movement] sketching set of instructions in two points. Discussion points include lack of fulfilment of T[ruce] agreements; demand for a declaration about withdrawal of forces, self-determination, amnesty for political prisoners. (Caption by [Éamonn Downey] identifying handwriting and referring to the so-called 'P.A.C.'-file; see there 7 July.)
Handwritten excerpt by [Éamonn Downey] from Brendan Duddy's diary of 1975 with full copy of that day's entry. Describing Duddy's meeting in Belfast with D.M. [Donald Middleton], the unacceptable British offer, and their negotiating a new one.
Typescript letter and envelope signed 'R*b' [MI6-agent 'Robert'] [Laneside, County Down, by hand of Mr. Middleton] to [Brendan Duddy]. Marked 'personal' and at first in mock-clandestine voice; sending a present - reference made to a candlestick Duddy had seen [to let him know the communication is genuine]. Referring to a recent meeting; expressing personal respect and regret about the end of their working relationship. 'Your achievements over the past years have been fantastic'; encouraging him to continue and to take notes for future endeavours: 'One of the problems with Ireland is that everyone goes on making the same mistakes from decade to decade.' (Handwritten captions on letter and envelope establish some of the provenance.)
Two typescript replies [one a draft of the other] from the British government to the Provisional IRA, in reply to their communication of 7 July. Agreeing that a further drift from the ceasefire is to be avoided; responding to the six points raised by them and requesting a meeting on 22 July. (Wording in first document, with handwriting by [Éamonn Downey], more conciliatory in tone.)
Handwritten notes (3 pp) by [Brendan Duddy] from [a meeting with Donald Middleton, Laneside, Hollywood], in nine points. Among discussion points are the potential position of both sides by mid-September, Loyalists and SDLP, need for Rees to act. (Caption by [Éamonn Downey] establishing date and event; pointing to entry in the 1975-diary which however corresponds in only a few points.)
Material in this subseries relates to Mary Robinson (MR)'s Presidential Election campaign from her nomination as candidate, through to her successful election, and includes campaign committee minutes, press releases, correspondence, reports and polls, posters, cuttings and other ephemera. Nominated by both Labour and The Workers' Party to become candidate of political left, MR chose to remain independent from either party, and made history as both the first female candidate and eventual winner. The margin of victory between the three candidates [MR, Brian Lenihan (Fianna Fáil) and Austin Currie (Fine Gael)] was one of the tightest in history, and the final few weeks featured personal attacks from rival parties, scandal and resignation of Lenihan from Government, and internal bickering amongst Fianna Fáil party members. Fine Gael's leader, Alan Dukes, would later resign following Currie's poor third place showing. Ruairí Quinn, Deputy Leader of the Labour party, worked as MR's Campaign Director and the election took place on 7th November 1990.
[Archivist's Note: In January 1982, then Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald, asked then President, Patrick Hillery, to dissolve the Dáil, which Hillery did. If Hillery had refused a dissolution, Charles Haughey as Leader of the Opposition, could have formed an alternative government. Lenihan among others called Hillery seeking to pressure him to refuse to dissolve the Dáil, something Lenihan denied doing in October 1990 during the Presidential election campaign. However, tapes existed of an interview he did with postgrad student and journalist, Jim Duffy, in May 1990, in which he stated he had done so, and (sections of) these tapes were subsequently released by Duffy following Lenihan's denial. Haughey dismissed Lenihan from government but supported him as Fianna Fáil's candidate in presidential election. This became known as the (Duffy) "Tapes Affair". To support Lenihan and weaken MR's standing with voters, a fellow Fianna Fáil government colleague, Pádraig Flynn, launched a personal attack which questioned MR's loyalty to her family among other insults, which, along with the "Tapes Affair", was seen to have gifted MR the election.
However, a letter in P143/4/1/3/5 from Robin J Addis, Managing Director, Lansdowne Market Research, references an unpublished poll showing MR had already almost caught up with Lenihan in estimated first preference votes, and stated pollsters would most likely have predicted MR to win regardless, without any assistance from these events.]
Ref: P143/4/1
Material in this subsubseries relates to Mary Robinson (MR)'s campaign trail as presidential candidate, including correspondence and schedules for her visits to communities across the country, press releases relating to her nomination and the opening of her campaign headquarters, campaign committee minutes, offers of assistance from volunteer canvassers, strategy documents, background information and research material, and draft publicity material.
Ref: P143/4/1/1