State of Emergency – On This Day in 1976 – The Irish News

August 25 1976
THE Irish Government is to seek the approval of the Dáil and the Senate next week for the declaration of a state of emergency.
Since the coalition government has a majority in both Houses, the passage of the measure is a foregone conclusion.
The shock announcement that the Dáil and Senate would reconvene on Tuesday to consider a Bill to declare the first state of emergency in the Republic since World War II was made, last night, by the Minister for Justice, Mr Patrick Cooney.
The suspension of all ordinary laws in the Republic for an indefinite period is seen as a move by the government to anticipate any upsurge of activity by the Provisional IRA as measures to combat subversive organisations are stepped up.
Eight leading members of Provisional Sinn Féin were arrested in the Republic yesterday for failing to pay fines imposed for taking part in an illegal march through Dublin and rally at the GPO in O’Connell Street on Easter Sunday – but unexpectedly, instead of being bailed within a few hours, they were taken straight to Mountjoy Jail.
A further round-up of others who took part in the illegal gathering is expected.
The Criminal Law Bill, which significantly increases penalties for terrorist-type offences and increased powers of search, arrest and confiscation by the Garda and Army, is to be introduced in the Dáil and the Senate on the same day as the Emergency Powers Bill.
The controversial Emergency Powers Act led to a clash between the government and the president Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh that led to the latter’s resignation later in the year.
**
SENATOR James Buckley yesterday in Washington introduced a resolution urging President [Gerald] Ford to offer US assistance in settling the trouble in Northern Ireland.
“Gloomy forecasts that the problems in Northern Ireland cannot and never will be resolved are wrong,” the New York conservative Republican said in a statement, adding that the Catholic and Protestants who recently marched together for peace in Belfast proved that hope for peace did exist.
America’s close friendship with both Ireland and Britain provided an opportunity for the US to help in negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the Northern Ireland problem, he said.
Despite calls for President Gerald Ford to take a more interventionist role in Northern Ireland, it was his successor Jimmy Carter who was the first US president to do so.
1
2
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
@2026 The Irish News Ltd

source