I would think, none of the above.
The interest charge for the year should be deducted as normal at 75%.
The refund should be treated as income and be subject to tax.
Can you treat only 75% of the refund as income? For most of those years the interest was only allowed at 75%.
I suggest that you think out the most beneficial treatment you can and write to Revenue telling them this is what you are doing, if they don't object then use that.
I am assuming we are talking about an investment property.