Photo: Part of the Independent Newspapers Ireland/NLI CollectionSecret files show how Ireland warned Libya its supply of Soviet weaponry, including the Czech-made explosive Semtex, to the IRA could have caused “civil war” in a friendly country. Irish officials, led by Foreign Affairs Minister Gerry Collins, also pressed Libya to buy Irish beef, with Mr Collins stressing that Ireland had “a good deal” of beef to sell. Mr Collins warned there “would have been civil war in Ireland” if a major shipment like the Eksund had reached IRA active service units. He also challenged the Libyans over their controversial support for the IRA, saying Ireland had been “good friends to Libya”. “They had explained that Ireland wants good relations with Libya but that Libya must stop supplying weapons for the IRA.

Source: Libya Today December 29, 2022 19:54 UTC