US attorney general tried to block Gerry Adams fundraising in 1995 over IRA weapons fears, unearthed records reveal
The US attorney general tried to block Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams from fundraising in the country in 1995 over a belief the IRA was still trying to source weapons, newly released records show.
Janet Reno, the attorney general at the time, had previously opposed then-US president Bill Clinton‘s decision to grant visas for Mr Adams and former IRA chief Joe Cahill in 1994 – months after the IRA declared a ceasefire.
Mr Adams was president of Sinn Fein, which was regarded as the political wing of the IRA paramilitary group, between 1983 and 2018, but has always denied being a member of the IRA.
Mr Clinton overruled Ms Reno by giving him a three-month visa, which included permission to raise funds for the party – a move that provoked anger from then-UK prime minister John Major.
The US attorney general’s continuing opposition is revealed by the annual release of documents from the National Archives in Dublin.
In a February 1995 letter to Mr Clinton’s national security advisor Tony Lake, she expressed frustration “by the latest effort” to modify restrictions that stopped Mr Adams raising money from Irish American donors, having looked at the matter “barely six weeks” earlier.
“No evidence has been brought to my attention (since) that suggests progress has been made towards the disarmament and demobilisation of the IRA,” she told Mr Lake.
“In addition, I am aware of evidence that suggests that (the IRA) has continued to identify potential sources for arms procurement and to make inquiries concerning availability and terms of purchase.”
She also said the State Department, the US Treasury and the US Department of Justice had “recently intensified their efforts and public commitments to combatting international terrorism”, which “could be undermined by removing the Adams visa restriction at this time”.
The Sinn Fein leader applied for a visa that included fundraising permission on 22 February 1995, which Mr Clinton granted because of the progress he felt had been made.
“We have made clear our expectation that all and any funds raised will be used for legitimate political party purposes which serve to reinforce Sinn Fein’s commitment to the peace process,” a US note held in the Irish state papers shows.
According to other newly-released documents:
- Tony Blair effectively told then UUP leader David Trimble to “get lost” over a plan to hold a referendum on Irish reunification in 2002.
- Diplomatic delays tied up the return of a portrait of Daniel O’Connell – an Irish nationalist campaigner known as The Liberator – for more than two years, after concerns that the Irish parliament was only receiving a copy of the original.
- The Irish government took a dim view of some of the proposed candidates to lead key negotiations leading into the Good Friday Agreement, describing some as ineffective politicians, bad lawyers and in one case having a “bitchy temperament”.
Netanyahu visited Ireland in 1990
Netanyahu’s visit to establish diplomatic ties
Separate files shed new light on then deputy foreign minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s visit to Dublin in 1990, years before he became Israeli prime minister, in a bid to establish a diplomatic presence.
In a meeting with then Irish foreign affairs minister Gerry Collins, he suggested there was a “natural feeling of sympathy towards Israel among the Irish people”.
But he said relations had not been helped by Irish soldiers who had been killed in Lebanon while serving with UN peacekeeping forces – many of which had been blamed on Lebanese militias supported by Israel.
An Israeli embassy in Ireland was opened in December 1993, but Israel recently announced its closure.
The Israeli foreign minister accused Ireland of “antisemitic rhetoric” and of crossing “every red line in its relations with Israel”.
Ireland has recognised Palestinian statehood and announced an intention to intervene in South Africa’s case against Israel for genocide at the International Court of Justice.
Irish premier Simon Harris has rejected the claims and accused Israel of “distracting” from the deaths of children in the Gaza conflict.
World
Israeli PM says Gaza ceasefire ‘will be terminated’ if hostages are not returned by Hamas on Saturday
Police investigating the deaths of a British couple at their home in rural France have released details from a post-mortem examination.
Prosecutors say Dawn Searle, 56, was found at their property in Les Pesquies with “several” injuries to her head, while her husband, Andrew Searle, 62, was found hanged with no visible defensive injuries.
They are investigating whether the deaths are the result of a murder-suicide or if a third party was involved.
The pair are said to have been found dead by a German friend, who lives nearby, on Thursday after Mr Searle didn’t arrive for one of their regular dog walks.
The couple moved to the hamlet of Les Pesquies around a decade ago and married in the nearby town of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, in the south of France, in 2023.
Andrew and Dawn Searle’s home
A statement from the office of public prosecutor Nicolas Rigot-Muller said Ms Searle was found partially dressed with a major wound to her skull next to a box with jewellery inside.
But no object or weapon was found that could’ve caused the wounds, which an autopsy carried out in Montpellier on Monday found were caused by a blunt and sharp object. There were no signs of sexual assault.
The house appeared to have been quickly searched, while some cash was found in the couple’s room.
Investigators are conducting further examinations, including toxicology and pathology tests, to help determine the precise circumstances of their deaths.
A police officer outside Andrew and Dawn Searle’s home in France
The village of Villefranche-de-Rouergue Aveyron
They each have two children from previous relationships and Ms Searle’s son, the country musician and former Hollyoaks star Callum Kerr, said they were in mourning in a statement posted on Saturday.
Family members are understood to have travelled to France, where they have spoken with investigators.
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The mayor of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, Jean-Sebastien Orcibal, who was also a neighbour of the Searles, said villagers and the British expat community were going to be getting “psychological help” following the incident, which has left locals in shock.
Speaking to Sky News from the town hall in which he conducted the couple’s wedding ceremony, he said: “It doesn’t seem like the problem comes from here because when we knew them and saw them living here they were very happy, very friendly and didn’t seem to have any problems.
“The problem seems to come from the past or somewhere far away.
“It’s an isolated act, it’s very independent. It doesn’t say that it’s a very dangerous territory, in fact, it’s very peaceful and that’s why probably Andy and Dawn chose to live here, because it’s very peaceful.
“Now, did their past come back and get them? That’s another story. That’s totally different from where we are. It could’ve happened anywhere.”
A Foreign Office spokesperson previously said: “We are supporting the family of a British couple who died in France and are liaising with the local authorities.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
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