Fears over republicans meeting Pope

The Government was concerned republicans would meet the Pope during the Papal visit sparking possible sectarian tension and violence, official documents show.

A note among state files released to the National Archives revealed the Government believed the IRA might try to attend a function with the Pope other than the high-profile public events.

The document claimed the Papal Nuncio had already held meetings with “representatives of illegal organisations” at the Nunciature.

“Were contacts to take place between such groups and his Holiness or his party, it would, in the view of the Irish Government, be likely to lead to a reaction of extreme anger among the Protestant community in Northern Ireland, with the consequent grave danger of sectarian murders, bombings, and other outrages, north and south of the border in Ireland,” the memo read.

“This is a matter of acute concern to the Irish security authorities.”

The document said the Government believed the IRA would use the visit and worldwide press coverage to obtain publicity for their violent campaign.

“Apart from obvious means of seeking publicity, such as the display of banners or flags in view of TV cameras, it is possible that they will try to arrange that they, or representatives of organisations sympathetic to them, are received by his Holiness or attend a function connected with the visit enabling them to assert that they have been received.”