This article is from page 8 of the 2012-01-03 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
CLARE would have played a frontline role in Ireland’s reaction to a German victory in World War II, newly released papers relating to the operation of Met Éireann services have revealed. And the Met Éireann secret files have also revealed that Shannon Airport had been identified as having a key role to play in helping Ireland react quickly in the event of a nuclear war breaking out.
The Met Éireann papers which have been released in tandem with the latest publication of State papers reveal the extent of Clare’s role in dealing with the twin threats of a Nazi war victory and nuclear war.
The papers reveal efforts to protect weather reports from the Nazis, naturalise staff members who could face prosecution had the Germans won the Second World War and to ensure the protection of weather stations against nuclear fallout.
Released by the National Archives, the files outline a meeting of the inter departmental committee on emergency preparations for the delivery and maintenance of essential supplies in the event of a conflict. This included how goods would be bought from Britain and elsewhere and stored at Shannon Airport and Urlanmore in Newmarket-on-Fergus.
And, the spectre of nuclear war meant practical scenarios for the transport of vital supplies needed to be mapped out, with Shannon Airport crucial to this policy.
An air link to Canada and America was singled out as being vital to Ireland’s response to a nuclear situation, with one file stating Shannon would need to be operational for “essential cargo purposes only”, with no passengers likely to be flying.