A letter sent to then Taoiseach Charlie Haughey in 1987 which detailed a plot to assassinate him also included a threat to derail the Irish economy by infecting livestock with disease.

The letter, which came to light when the 1987 State papers were released earlier this month, said that the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) planned to supply foot-and-mouth disease, swine fever and anthrax to derail the Irish economy. “British Int are going to supply a spoon of Anthras Foot and Mouth Disease, Fowl Pest, Swine Fever and Jaagaikpi [sic] a fatal disease in sheep to anyone who will release it in Eire. They plan by doing so to destroy Eire economy and to make the Eire Government increase border security.

“We have no love for you but we are not going to carry out work for the Dirty Tricks Department of the British,” the letter read.