Defending Ireland

`an excellent synthesis of the development of police and army in independent Ireland' American Historical Review, February 2001 `O'Haplin has written a provocative book which is highly relevant to current debates in Ireland about that country's position in the world.' Paul McMahon, Journal of Intelligence & National Security, Vol. 15, Autumn 2000 `For anyone wanting to understand the development of Ireland's defence and security policies since independence, this is the book. It not only contains much new research but the best synthesis and analysis of previously available material.' Paul McMahon, Journal of Intelligence & National Security, Vol. 15, Autumn 2000 `In particular, his study and analysis of intelligence and the resulting new findings constitute a significant addition to the literature. His judgements are occasionally harsh, but seldom anything but wholly justified (and never less than wholly documented).' G. T. Dempsey, Irish Historical Studies `throughout the book, O'Halpin's findings are judicious' G. T. Dempsey, Irish Historical Studies This formidably researched book constitutes a major contribution to the historical understanding of modern Ireland. The first comprehensive accounting of the state's security position from independence to the present, it fills in not just historiographical gaps but a conceptual one as well. G. T. Dempsey, Irish Historical Studies `extremely valuable.' Martin Green, Tribune `a fascinating account of how the gardai and the Defence Forces have dealt with foreign and domestic threats, real and perceived, to the Irish state since 1922 ... comprehensively researched and highly readable, it is an indispensable work for anyone interested in 20th century Irish history.' Sunday Tribune `Even readers well familiar with 20th-century Irish political history will glean many new insights from this highly original approach.' The Irish Times `Consistently well researched and frequently insightful, Defending Ireland is a timely look at the Irish Republic as we leave the century of its birth.' Sunday Business Post