A former Independent TD and brother of the late Neil Blaney has claimed that Jack Lynch and Charles Haughey "shafted" his brother when they were taoisigh.
Mr Harry Blaney, in an interview in the Donegal Democrat, also said that a lot of bridges would have to be mended before his breakaway Independent Fianna Fáil party would rejoin Fianna Fáil.
There has been speculation about a reunification following Fianna Fáil's poor performance in Donegal in the European and local government elections.
Mr Blaney said: "A lot of dirty water has passed under the bridge since we parted company, and a lot of bridges would have to be mended before we could even consider such a move."
He accused the Irish government of cowardice in its dealings with the British government when the Troubles in the North were escalating just over the Border from his brother's Donegal constituency.
"Neil asked them to send the Irish Army into Derry, but Jack Lynch didn't have the guts."
Subsequently "some people" decided to bring in some guns. The way that was done, allied to moves by certain ministers to distance themselves from the operation, led to the historic Arms Trial in Dublin and crisis in the government. Mr Blaney said Irish troops were sent to his brother's home area, Rossnakill, in Co Donegal on a fruitless search for arms.
He said that at the same time ministers turned a blind eye to much of what was going on, otherwise they could have "destroyed" the country. "As it turned out, they decided to destroy Neil Blaney," he added.