THE withdrawal of funding from Irish language group Glór na nGael in 1990 was condemned by everyone from the Irish government and the Catholic Church to Protestant speakers, newly-released state papers show.
In a memo to Secretary of State Sir Peter Brooke, an official from the Stormont Central Secretariat highlighted fears that the group, based in west Belfast, was linked to republican paramilitaries.
Under government policy, funding was denied to groups when there was a risk of furthering the aims of a paramilitary organisation.
The official highlighted "a worsening degree of paramilitary involvement and influence" among Glor na nGael's management committee following recent staffing changes.
Sir Peter's private secretary Stephen Pope said in July 1990 that the Secretary of State was content that British government funding should be withdrawn.
Declan O’Donovan, head of the Irish Section of the Anglo-Irish Secretariat, later raised concerns that the Irish government was not consulted.
An NIO official noted that Mr O’Donovan "frankly doubted that the money was being misappropriated" and denied that the organisation’s co-ordinators had any Sinn Féin links.
Following the decision to withdraw funding, the NIO received dozens of letters, including from then Bishop Cahal Daly in September 1990 who described the move as a "propaganda opportunity (for Sinn Féin) at a time when their credibility was at a low ebb".
He said the group had been founded by Cumann na Sagart, a highly respected organisation of Irish-speaking priests.
And he added that, according to priests working in west Belfast, Glór na nGael had taken steps "to purge itself of members or influences... with Sinn Féin or paramilitary associations".
Fine Gael leader Alan Dukes expressed his "astonishment" at the move, while Dr Maurice Hayes and Dr James Hawthorne from the Community Relations Council felt the decision would seriously compromise their organisation's work.
By October 1990, NIO minister Richard Needham had voiced concerns, telling Sir Peter in a memo that it had caused serious damage to "our relationships with the community".
He hoped it might be possible to restore funding to Glór na nGael if satisfactory changes could be made to the west Belfast committee.
Read More
- UVF 'had secret talks with IRA which discussed federal Ireland'
- John Hume concerned by release of republican prisoners from Portlaoise after IRA ceasefire
- Bill Clinton was 'more forthcoming' to nationalists than British wanted
Read More
- Gerry Adams was 'dispensable' and 'no Mandela', Ken Maginnis told Bill Clinton adviser
- Unionists 'felt nationalists had benefited from IRA violence'
Read More
- Row over planned restoration of Co Armagh birthplace of Orange Order
- Orange Order berated Sir Patrick Mayhew over 'cannibals' remark
- Ian Paisley Jnr 'wanted Stormont government which could negotiate with Republic'
Read More
- Mary Robinson's 1993 meeting with Gerry Adams 'angered British government'
- British government 'repeatedly tried to block Gerry Adams's US visa in 1994'
- Records reveal British criticism of Republic's response to Gibraltar deaths
Read More
- Thatcher 'accused Irish government of doing nothing' over suspected IRA priest
- Irish government queried bulk postal discount for Sinn Féin over IRA funding fears
- MPs demanded date to withdraw from Ireland after murders of British soldiers
Read More
- Secretary of state Tom King walked out of meeting after row with SDLP over devolution
- Margaret Thatcher said Garda was 'not a highly professional police force'
- Farm security gates at Irish border sparked allegations of discrimination against Catholics
