'Stakeknife' suicide concerns, the Saudi sheikh's proposal and red-faced Irish officials at U2's Joshua Tree tour: Final day of the Irish State Papers

"Powerful new IRA mortars had significantly impacted the morale of British Army personnel stationed in south Armagh."

"Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was warned by the father of murdered Loyalist leader Billy Wright that he was "at a loss" why the Irish Government would not agree to meet him and asked whether it was because he was not a member of the Nationalist community."

"Secret files released as part of the State Papers revealed that Mr Wright challenged the Taoiseach over why Irish officials were willing to meet with the families of solicitors Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson but had effectively ignored his plight."

"Irish officials were briefed by a senior British police chief that the double agent dubbed Stakeknife was the focus of suicide concerns."

Secret State Papers reveal multiple security and political issues relating to Northern Ireland. Powerful new IRA mortars significantly damaged morale among British Army personnel in south Armagh. The father of murdered Loyalist leader Billy Wright told Taoiseach Bertie Ahern he was "at a loss" that the Irish Government would not meet him, accusing officials of a "selective" approach to justice compared with meetings held for Pat Finucane and Rosemary Nelson families. Irish officials were warned by a senior British police chief that the unmasking in 2003 of MI5's highest placed IRA agent, dubbed "Stakeknife", prompted serious suicide concerns and required careful assessment of fallout.

Read at Irish Independent