UK Files Reveal McDowell’s Urgent Push for IRA Amnesty in 2000

UPDATE: New documents reveal that Michael McDowell, as Ireland’s attorney general in 2000, urged the British government to grant amnesty to “on-the-run” IRA members without the need for parliamentary approval. This revelation, emerging from recently released UK files, has sparked renewed discussions about the controversial treatment of IRA members.

McDowell’s proposal suggested that instead of struggling to pass legislation through Westminster, the British could utilize an ancient legal provision to issue pardons without trials. British officials reportedly reacted with astonishment to this recommendation, highlighting the contentious nature of the issue surrounding IRA members sought for serious offenses, including murder.

The controversy surrounding the IRA “on-the-runs” (OTRs) escalated significantly in 2014, when it was disclosed that nearly 300 IRA members had received “comfort letters,” assuring them they were not wanted by British authorities. This matter came to the forefront during the trial of John Downey, an alleged IRA member accused of the 1982 Hyde Park bombing that resulted in the deaths of four British soldiers and seven horses. Downey’s trial collapsed when it surfaced that he had received a comfort letter in 2007, despite an active arrest warrant.

Details from the newly released documents indicate that McDowell’s amnesty idea was first discussed in a meeting between Irish and British officials in November 2000. He argued that London could grant “pardons before convictions” without needing to introduce new laws. This assertion was met with skepticism from British officials, who maintained that a royal pardon could only be applied post-conviction.

Following this initial proposal, McDowell reiterated his stance during a subsequent meeting in Zagreb, Croatia, with then-Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. He cited the British government’s historical decision not to prosecute Soviet spy Anthony Blunt as a precedent for granting immunity without full legislative backing.

Despite McDowell’s insistence on the legal flexibility of the British system, officials from the Northern Ireland Office expressed doubt, indicating that such a broad approach to immunity would be unprecedented and difficult to justify. Bill Jeffreys, political director at the Northern Ireland Office, noted that McDowell’s suggestion diverged from the established legal framework and would likely face significant opposition from the British attorney general.

In a separate but related matter, the files also shed light on Sinn Féin’s efforts to protect prominent IRA figures in the United States from deportation during the late 1990s, particularly under President Bill Clinton’s administration. The urgency of these negotiations was underscored by concerns that the incoming George W. Bush presidency might take a tougher stance.

Gerry Kelly, a Sinn Féin representative, voiced frustrations about the lack of progress, stating that delays were hampering the party’s objectives. The revelation of McDowell’s push for an IRA amnesty adds a crucial chapter to the ongoing debate about the legacy of the Troubles and the political maneuvering that shaped peace negotiations.

As the discussion unfolds, it raises critical questions about the balance between justice and reconciliation in post-conflict societies. The implications of these revelations will likely resonate throughout the political landscape as stakeholders assess their historical and legal significance.

Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops and as officials respond to these newly uncovered insights.