Fiachra Ó Cionnaith

Harry Whelehan (R) with Eoghan Fitzsimons in 1994

AG felt FF ministers intended to mislead Dáil on Smyth

The attorney general in 1994 believed Fianna Fáil ministers had withheld information and deliberately intended to mislead the Dáil during a controversy surrounding the extradition of paedophile priest Fr Brendan Smyth.

State Papers • 29 Dec 25

18 June 1994; Republic of Ireland supporters prior to the FIFA World Cup 1994 Group E match between Republic of Ireland and Italy at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, USA. Photo by David Maher/Sportsfile

Stranded Irish fans given USA '94 tickets worth thousands

Irish embassy officials gave thousands of pounds worth of World Cup 1994 tickets to Irish fans left stranded and ticketless in Florida - after a British travel agent suddenly went bust - in order to prevent what they feared risked becoming a "riotous situation".

State Papers • 29 Dec 25

A general view of Sellafield nuclear processing plant in Cumbria,

Govt considered legal action over Sellafield plant

In 1995, escalating fears of a radiation accident at the Sellafield/Thorp nuclear facilities in Cumbria in the UK led the Irish government to consider taking legal action.

State Papers • 29 Dec 25

The flagship of the British Royal Navy, HMS Ark Royal sails in to the River Tyne

Ahern turned down invitaton to host British Navy vessel

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern turned down an invitation to host a visit from the British Navy's vessel the Ark Royal at Dublin Port in 2003.

State Papers • 29 Dec 25

15 Feburary 1995; Rioting England supporters in the West Stand which forced the abandonment of the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and England at Lansdowne Road in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Garda numbers 'insufficient' during Lansdowne Road riot

Government ministers were told in the aftermath of the February 1995 Lansdowne Road riot by English hooligans that garda reserve numbers at the stadium were "insufficient" and that pre-game safety information was "not clearly understood or remembered" by the FAI.

State Papers • 29 Dec 25

Overcrowding a major issue at Limerick hospital in 1980

Almost half a century ago, overcrowding and a lack of bed capacity was identified as a major issue at University Hospital Limerick, a new document released under the State Papers shows.

State Papers • 29 Dec 25

Divorce referendum and pandas feature prominently in today's State Papers

5 things we learned from Day 2 of the State Papers

Here are five things we learned from Day 2 of this year's State Papers.

State Papers • 28 Dec 25

Chinese panda's Dublin trip may have led to its death

Chinese officials suggested that a trip by a giant panda to Dublin Zoo may have contributed to its death, according to a new file released under the State Papers.

State Papers • 28 Dec 25

The November 1995 divorce referendum was passed by the slimmest of margins

How to explain the 1995 divorce referendum to Vatican?

Ireland's ambassador to the Holy See was given a specific briefing on how to explain the reasons for the 1995 divorce referendum to the Vatican.

State Papers • 28 Dec 25

Mobile telephone, phone. (Photo by Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)

Telecom companies opposed govt plan to shut down networks

Government plans to temporarily block mobile phone networks to prevent a bomb being set off in Northern Ireland by a call or text message in the Republic were opposed by some telecom companies due to the impact on customers and potential technology costs involved.

State Papers • 28 Dec 25