THE North was in a virtual political vacuum throughout 1977, as there was no single recognised political leader within either the Nationalist or Unionist communities. The Dublin government had a twin policy designed primarily to ensure the British protected the rights of the minority in the North and encouraged agreement on a power-sharing basis.

THE year 1977 was not a great one from the standpoint of the state papers. Historically, the most important events were related to that year’s general election. As the civil servants were not formally involved, the elections were glossed over in the state papers.

FORMER British Prime Minister Jim Callaghan will be remembered for his good intentions and decency during some of the North’s darkest hours, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said yesterday.

JOHN DELOREAN, the disgraced US car mogul who offered Northern Ireland a false dream, has died it was announced last night.