The Provisional IRA: From Insurrection to Parliament

The Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) was a paramilitary organization that sought to establish a united Ireland through armed resistance. It was formed in 1969 as a breakaway from the Official IRA, and its membership consisted primarily of young Catholics from Northern Ireland who were disillusioned with the Irish government's response to the escalating violence in the region.

The IRA's campaign of violence, which included bombings, shootings, and assassinations, was met with strong opposition from the British government and the Irish government. In 1972, the British government introduced internment without trial in Northern Ireland, which led to the imprisonment of thousands of suspected IRA members. This policy further alienated the IRA and its supporters, and it is widely believed to have contributed to the escalation of violence in the region.

The Provisional IRA: From Insurrection to Parliament

by Tommy McKearney

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2475 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	249 pages

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In 1994, the IRA declared a ceasefire, and in 1998 it signed the Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland. The IRA decommissioned its weapons, and its members began to participate in the political process. Today, the IRA is no longer an active paramilitary organization, but its legacy continues to be debated.

Early History

The Provisional IRA was formed on December 10, 1969, by a group of young Catholics from Northern Ireland who were disillusioned with the Official IRA's decision to end its campaign of violence. The new organization was led by a group of young militants, including Sean Mac Stiofain, Ruairí Ó Brádaigh, and Martin McGuinness. The IRA's stated goal was to establish a united Ireland through armed resistance, and it quickly began to attract a following among young Catholics who were angry at the British government's response to the escalating violence in the region.

The IRA's early years were marked by a series of violent attacks against British security forces and civilian targets. In 1972, the British government introduced internment without trial in Northern Ireland, which led to the imprisonment of thousands of suspected IRA members. This policy further alienated the IRA and its supporters, and it is widely believed to have contributed to the escalation of violence in the region.

In 1974, the IRA carried out its most notorious attack, the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, which killed 33 people and injured over 200. The bombings were widely condemned, and they led to a crackdown on the IRA by the Irish government. In 1976, the IRA split into two factions, the Provisional IRA and the Official IRA. The Provisional IRA continued to carry out attacks against British security forces and civilian targets, while the Official IRA pursued a more political strategy.

The Hunger Strikes

In 1981, the IRA began a hunger strike in protest against the British government's policy of internment without trial. The hunger strike lasted for 66 days, and it ended with the deaths of ten IRA prisoners. The hunger strike was a major turning point in the conflict in Northern Ireland, and it helped to galvanize support for the IRA among Catholics in the region.

The hunger strike also led to a change in British government policy. In 1982, the British government introduced a new policy of "political status" for IRA prisoners, which meant that they would no longer be treated as criminals but as political prisoners. This policy change was a major victory for the IRA, and it helped to pave the way for a negotiated settlement to the conflict.

The Peace Process

In 1994, the IRA declared a ceasefire, and in 1998 it signed the Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement was a major breakthrough, and it led to the devolution of power to Northern Ireland and the establishment of a power-sharing government. The IRA decommissioned its weapons, and its members began to participate in the political process.

Today, the IRA is no longer an active paramilitary organization, but its legacy continues to be debated. Some people believe that the IRA was a legitimate liberation movement that fought for the rights of Catholics in Northern Ireland. Others believe that the IRA was a terrorist organization that caused great suffering and loss of life. The debate over the IRA's legacy is likely to continue for many years to come.

The Provisional IRA was a paramilitary organization that sought to establish a united Ireland through armed resistance. It was formed in 1969 as a breakaway from the Official IRA, and its membership consisted primarily of young Catholics from Northern Ireland who were disillusioned with the Irish government's response to the escalating violence in the region.

The IRA's campaign of violence, which included bombings, shootings, and assassinations, was met with strong opposition from the British government and the Irish government. In 1972, the British government introduced internment without trial in Northern Ireland, which led to the imprisonment of thousands of suspected IRA members. This policy further alienated the IRA and its supporters, and it is widely believed to have contributed to the escalation of violence in the region.

In 1994, the IRA declared a ceasefire, and in 1998 it signed the Good Friday Agreement, which brought an end to the conflict in Northern Ireland. The IRA decommissioned its weapons, and its members began to participate in the political process. Today, the IRA is no longer an active paramilitary organization, but its legacy continues to be debated.

A photo of a group of masked men carrying guns. The men are wearing black uniforms and balaclavas. They are standing in front of a burning building.

The Provisional IRA: From Insurrection to Parliament

by Tommy McKearney

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2475 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	249 pages

FREE