Ireland v UK : the European Court of Human Rights and international relations, 1971–1978

It is rare for states to lodge inter-state cases with the European Court of Human Rights because they fear damaging their relations with the respondent states. Yet in 1971 the government of the Republic of Ireland began a case against the United Kingdom. This research uses archival material to reveal the private discussions that took place within the British and Irish Governments regarding the case until its conclusion in 1978, as well as the official communications issued between the governments. It finds that there were distinct differences of opinion and tension between the two governments regarding Ireland v United Kingdom. Anglo-Irish relations were strong enough, however, that the case was largely kept separate from other aspects of their relationship. This article contributes to an understanding of Anglo-Irish relations in the 1970s and to the literature on this and “the troubles”, which almost completely neglects Ireland v United Kingdom