Former taoiseach Charlie Haughey was labelled an "IRA follower" by US authorities in the sixties and seventies, newly released documents have revealed.
And because of his interest in Northern Ireland affairs his visits to the US were carefully monitored.
US interest in Mr Haughey's activities have come to light with the release of de-classified documents from the US Embassy in Dublin.
The most striking documents show that the US State Department sought information on the then deputy leader of Fianna Fail as he prepared to visit the States in 1971.
One letter from the State Department to the US Embassy in Dublin said it "would appreciate any info available from either press or official sources on Irish Deputy Charles Haughey's visit to US about Dec 12-19".
The US Embassy response: "Reported Haughey's comment on contacts with
NI political figures. There are rumours
in Dublin that he has also engaged
in fundraising activities for Republican cause."
It continued: "Haughey is capable, high powered and ambitious, quite different from run-of-the-mill IRA followers.
"Anything he did while in the US would be of interest."
Mr Haughey first came to US attention in 1964 when he was appointed minister for agriculture by his father-in-law Sean Lemass.
At the time, US officials in Dublin noted that "Haughey is widely regarded in his party as their most energetic discovery in years".
It noted Mr Haughey's ability and
ambition and in one statement
concluded that his promotion is
"only incidentally related to the fact
that he is married to the boss's daughter".
In later years, the Americans viewed Mr Haughey's increasing republicanism with growing concern.
The May 1970 arms smuggling
crisis was greeted by US diplomats
with dismay and alarm and a
suspicion that the entire Irish government – including the then taoiseach
Jack Lynch – knew more than they were saying.
