Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - JUNE 12: Bono of U2 sprays the crowd with champagne while performing on stage at Wembley Stadium on June 12th, 1987 on 'The Joshua Tree' tour in London, England. (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns)

5 things we learned today from the State Papers

Among the things we learnt today from the State Papers were the political campaign that Billy Wright's father David was organising to obtain an inquest into his son's death, and Bertie Ahern's concerns about the proposed roll-out of the Ethics in Public Office Act.

State Papers • 12 hrs

Ambassador frustrated with govt attitude to $1bn oil deal

An Irish ambassador's frustrations at department officials for their attitude to a proposed investment of $1bn from Saudi investors in the country's oil facilities is contained in newly released files from the National Archives.

State Papers • 23 hrs

Proposed SIPO legislation opposed by Ahern and Andrews

When Dick Spring, the tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs, proposed legislation aimed at creating more transparency around the "interest" of politicians in 1993, he met with some opposition from leading Fianna Fáil members.

State Papers • 22 hrs

Crossmaglen security forces morale 'at low ebb' in 1994

A leading politician's reaction to plans for extensive construction work at Crossmaglen Barracks in south Armagh in April 1994 is contained within newly-released files at the National Archive.

State Papers • 30 Dec

Billy Wright, known as 'King Rat', was shot dead at the Maze Prison in Co Down on 27 December 1997

Billy Wright's father accused govt of 'selective justice'

The father of Billy Wright accused the Irish government of "indulging in selective justice" in 1999 after being told then-taoiseach Bertie Ahern would not meet him to discuss holding a public inquiry into the Loyalist Volunteer Force leader's murder.

State Papers • 30 Dec

The Edge and Bono of U2 perform on the Joshua Tree Tour at Nassau Coliseum in 1987

'Embarrassing situation' over limited U2 tickets in 1987

A telex sent from an Irish official based in Boston in April 1987, stating that a limit of ten complimentary tickets per U2 show in America, "puts us in an embarrassing situation" reveals the level of interest in the band's massively successful Joshua Tree tour there.

State Papers • 30 Dec

Fallout over 2003 publication of Stakeknife's identity

The fallout from the publication in the media in 2003 of agent Stakeknife's identity is discussed in documents newly released to the national archives.

State Papers • 15 hrs

15 February 1995; England supporters clash with Gardai in the West Stand where rioting broke out and forced the match to be abandoned. International Friendly, Republic of Ireland v England, Lansdowne Road, Dublin. Picture credit; Ray McManus / SPORTSFILE

5 things we learned from Day 3 of State Papers

We have reached the penultimate day of this year's State Paper release - and today carries a bit of a sporting theme. Two of today's main stories centre around the Republic of Ireland national team.

State Papers • 29 Dec

Police prepare to leave Stormont after a raid on the Sinn Fein office. A former messenger who once worked at the Government's main offices in Belfast has been arrested as part of a major police investigation into IRA intelligence gathering. * The man was

Tensions between govt and UK after 2002 Stormontgate raid

Tensions emerged between officials from the Irish and UK governments on Friday 4 October 2002 after PSNI officers raided Sinn Féin offices at the Northern Assembly in Stormont and arrested four members of the party.

State Papers • 29 Dec

PIRA laundered millions through NI construction sector

The Provisional IRA and other paramilitary groups were laundering tens of millions of pounds sterling every year through the construction sector in Northern Ireland in the final years before ceasefires were announced and peace talks took hold.

State Papers • 29 Dec