Defending Ireland: The Irish State and its Enemies since 1922

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OUP Oxford, Jul 22, 1999 - History - 398 pages
This fascinating and original book is the first to analyse the evolution of internal security policy and external defence policy in Ireland from independence to the present day. Professor O'Halpin examines the very limited concept of external defence understood by the first generation of Irish leaders, going on to chart the state's repeated struggles with the IRA and with other perceived internal and external threats to stability. He explores the state's defence and security relations with Britain and the United States and, drawing extensively on newly released records, he deals authoritatively with problems of subversion, espionage, counterintelligence and codebreaking during the Second World War. In conclusion, the book analyses significant post-Second World War developments, including anti-communist co-operation with Western powers, the emergence of UN service as a key element of Irish foreign and defence policy, the state's response to the Northern Ireland crisis since 1969, and Ireland's difficulties in addressing the collective security dilemmas facing the European Union in the post-Cold War era. It is essential reading for anyone wishing to understand the development of independent Ireland since 1922.
 

Contents

The State and Civil War 19211923
1
The Civilianization of Internal Security 19231932
39
Irelands Defence Dilemma 19231932
82
Internal Security and External Defence 19321939
105
External Defence and Security 19391945
151
Security Operations and Covert Activities 19391945
200
Ireland in the PostWar World 19451969
254
Unresolved Questions Defence Security and Subversion since 1969
304
Conclusion
350
BIBLIOGRAPHY
354
INDEX
365
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