State Papers - 1977: The North looms large in Anglo-Irish relations

EVENTS relating directly and indirectly to the North dominated Anglo-Irish relations during 1977.

The year began with the Government pressing a case at the European Commission of Human Rights in Strasbourg against the British for using torture in the North following the introduction of internment without trial in 1971.

The British were embarrassed as the case generated considerable publicity, especially from behind the Iron Curtain. Prime Minister Jim Callaghan sent Sir Richard Sykes to express concern to Liam Cosgrave about “the serious deterioration in relations between the two countries which had occurred in recent times”.