Powerful enemies and Ireland's neutrality

THE longstanding Irish policy of neutrality, an ongoing balancing act of several competing pressures — nationalism, the post-colonial relation with Britain, a burgeoning involvement with European politics — came under particular scrutiny in 1983.

British defence secretary Michael Heseltine seemed to reopen the wounds of Charles Haughey’s pro-Argentina stance on the Falklands War of the previous year by denouncing Irish neutrality at Aldergrove airport in Belfast on May 4, 1983.

“Those countries who do not play a part in Nato should ask themselves why they should take advantage of the umbrellas we provide,” he declared.