Northern Ireland

Arms Crisis rocked Irish political establishment

Captain James Kelly
Captain James Kelly Captain James Kelly

THE arms crisis rocked the Irish political establishment more than 50 years ago.

It hinged on claims that there was a plot involving two government ministers, future Taoiseach Charlie Haughey and Neil Blaney, to import weapons to be used by republicans in the north.

It resulted in both being fired by then Taoiseach Jack Lynch.

A third minister, Kevin Boland, resigned in solidarity.

Despite intense scrutiny by historians over the past 50 year the full picture as to who within the Irish government was aware of the plot remains unclear.

It is known that Mr Lynch moved on his cabinet colleagues after members of the gardai told opposition leader Liam Cosgrave about the plan and he in turn threatened to raise the matter the following day in the Dail if the taoiseach did not act.

Irish Army intelligence officer Captain James Kelly had travelled to Germany to oversee the purchase of weapons for use in the north. Until his death Captain Kelly insisted that his role at the time was known by senior government officials.

Others alleged to be involved included Belfast republican and founding member of the Provisional IRA John Kelly and Belgian Businessman Albert Luykx.

In May 1970, Mr Haughey, Mr Blaney, John Kelly and Captain James Kelly all went on trial along with Mr Luykx.

All charges against Blaney were dropped and the trial collapsed in July 1970.

A second trial began in October that year but the remaining accused were eventually also cleared.

While several of the key figures involved went on to have long political careers Captain Kelly and his family remained bitter over his treatment.

In 2020 his daughter revealed how her father waited for an apology on his deathbed.

"We had all gathered in the hospice, and he kept asking me, 'Suzanne has it come?

“I would say no, but it is coming. We knew that he had about another hour, and all his family had gathered, and I held his hand he asked me again, 'Has it come?" and I said "It has come Jim."

“It was like I had to give him permission to go. Of course it hadn't come. But I felt obliged."