Gerry Kelly was mentioned in a file that was temporarily withdrawn from the National Archives. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA WireThe Department of Foreign Affairs has returned a file to the National Archives that included a letter from a senior Garda describing Sinn Féin figure Gerry Kelly as a senior IRA leader in 1996. However, assertions by Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee that the withdrawal was “normal” have been sharply rejected by history professor Diarmaid Ferriter. “Following the temporary recall, the files are returned to the National Archives. On Thursday, Sinn Féin said it had made no effort to have the file withdrawn by the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Source: The Irish Times January 16, 2026 22:27 UTC