Fitzgerald ordered review of plans for exodus of ‘refugees’

Former Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald ordered an overhaul of preparations for a mass exodus of “refugees” from Northern Ireland in the event of chaos breaking out after the Anglo-Irish Agreement.

Secret files, just released under the 30-year rule, show that defence and health chiefs in Dublin were told in 1986 to update contingency plans previously drawn up in 1974 and 1975 - among the bloodiest years of the Troubles.

The revamped preparations would take into account the then new hospital at Letterkenny in County Donegal being used for casualties and expanded Irish Army bases to house the “initial reception of refugees”.