The Irish Republican Army - Term Paper Example

The Irish Republican Army: Its History and Impact to Global Security Introduction For several decades, Northern Ireland has been overwhelmed by various political conflicts and military tensions. History can attest to the multitude of battles and divisions that the Irish have witnessed. From an outsider’s viewpoint, there seemed to be an endless struggle of people in the land, where differences in ideology and interests were hardly repressed. The Irish Republican Army was once a great force to reckon with in terms of these circumstances in this European island. In this paper, the student outlines the early years of this paramilitary organization and its display of power throughout time. Its various underground movement and clandestine connections with similar entities from other parts of the world is vital in this composition. An analysis of significant events attributed to this Ireland-based dissident group prompted the student to underscore the undeniable impact it has on world security and on the containment of the trend of terrorism. Beginnings The Oglaigh na hEireann or the Irish Republican Army (IRA) came into existence in the aim of Ireland’s unification and its liberation from the British rule. Spearheaded by Michael Collins, from the remnants of the rebel forces dissolved after the 1916 Easter Rebellion, it was then primarily composed of Irish volunteers. The atrocious episode in Dublin on November 1920, known as the Bloody Sunday, was wreaked by the group as it’s seemingly ‘baptism of fire.’ The armed units fought the British troops during the 1919-1921 Irish War of Independence. The Sinn Fein Party became its major supporter and mother organization. In 1922, during the founding of the Irish Free State, IRA emerged as the fierce opposition influence to Ireland’s supremacy and the strongest worker for the separation of Northern Ireland. The group was deemed responsible for the countless bombings, raids and street riots on both sides of the Irish border (Derkins, 2003). At first, the group gained popular support and seen as effective in its crusade, until former IRA sponsor Eamon De Valera succeeded the nation’s leadership and internal misunderstandings and dissensions occurred. Its violent exploits (which harbored the agitation of authorities) and pro-German stance during the Second World War caused the lessened popularity of the troop. As a consequence to IRA’s suppression, it became a secret society with a number of split organizations. From the 1950’s to the 1990’s, the emanation of the Official IRA, the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA has been documented. However, the Provisional IRA (PIRA), founded in 1969, has been the most notorious among the factions and was imputed the brand of a terrorist (D’Arrigo, 1993). Terrorist Activities During the 1950’s, the group, also known as Provos, perpetrated bombing attacks in London, Belfast and at the border near Ulster. It only moderately ceased from deliberate violence in the 60’s. However, IRA became an imminent danger to the national securities of the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom from the 1970’s to the 1990’s when reports delivered that the group had been receiving armory, ammunition and trainings from different international like-minded groups. Of most notable of their supporters were Libya, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and some American sympathizers. Leftist and Marxist-leaning groups such as the German Baader-Meinhof Gang, Italian Red Brigades, Basque Separatist Group and the Kurdish Workers’ Party were also connected to the IRA (Atkins, 2004). In 1972, the group set off 22 bombs in Belfast that claimed the lives of 9 people and injured 130. Queen Elizabeth II’s uncle Lord Mountbatten was also assassinated by the group in 1979, and three others. Even former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was a target of a failed murder attempt by the group during a cabinet meeting in 1984 (White, 1993). Furthermore, in 1998, a car bombing incident that killed 29 people in Northern Ireland was also charged to the group despite the fact that it already committed to disarm as outlined in the Good Friday Agreement. These similar acts of terrorism continued, especially when the Real IRA and other related paramilitary units (the Continuity IRA included) resurfaced. In 2001, the United States Congressional International Relations Committee issued an intelligence report narrating the close ties between IRA and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC) which dates back to 1998. Several attacks were made by the group in 2009 that profoundly shook Northern Ireland. Both the Real IRA and the Continuity IRA, through an Army Council, admitted responsibility of the said heinousness. Throughout the prolonged turmoil in Ireland, IRA was tagged for more deaths than any other group in the area has committed. Its bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, smuggling, extortion and robberies comprise for its varied criminal acts. Its other activities also include racketeering and fuel laundering (Shanahan, 2009). While the financial gains were practically intended for the republican advocacy, it has also been found out that some funds went directly for personal consumption. Such is the scenario where it can be deduced that the group’s ideal cause has been put to waste (Smith, 1997). Impact to Global Security The ceasefire in 1997 and the 1998 Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement could not be taken as ‘gospel’ when dealing with a terrorist group such as the IRA (and its denominations). Even though the group was expected to give up entirely its weapons in the first quarter of 2000, still nothing can be guaranteed from them. As evidenced by their previous brutality and barbarity, it can only be assumed that IRA remains a threat to the national security of Ireland and Britain. With its alliances with other international terrorist groups, it can also be considered a brewing menace to the world (Fattah, 2007). In fact, the Terrorism Act of 2000 by the UK government did not only condemn IRA with its workings but also included it in its list of potential ‘insecurities of the sovereignty.’ Within Northern Ireland, concerned advocates and civil rights champions such as the Ulster Unionist Party, Progressive Unionist Association and the Democratic Unionist Party all brand the group as ‘agents of violence.’ More so, the security council of the European Union and the United States refer to IRA and its splinter groups as terrorists (Combs & Slann, 2007). Although dwindling in number, IRA’s presence still bears significant impact to Ireland’s overall health, particularly on its economy and diplomatic relations. UK could not wholly ‘rest its laurels’ in defeating terrorism in its scope, but it also must take alert cognizance of possible vulnerabilities. Ultimately, the United States, being home to millions of Irish immigrants, must be wide awake in its counter-terrorism quests not only in specific Arab countries but also in those people who may be contributing to the sustenance and performance of terrorism. Conclusion Upon its inception, the Irish Republican Army revolved around the key ideals of republicanism: independence, justice and rejection of corruption. Yet, as time passed by, these honorable tenets gradually degraded and were eventually replaced by violence, unlawfulness and greed. Gone were the days when the group was hailed by many as freedom fighters, because now they already obtained the trademark of a terrorist. In the pursuit of world peace and the campaign against terrorism, it is but imperative to examine thoroughly the history of Ireland side by side the history of the Irish Republican Army. By studying the underlying significant events related to them, diplomatic treaties can be well formulated and peace negotiations can well proceed. If the paramount goal of today’s generation is to put a halt to the myriad wars and conflicts that humanity has witnessed and to eradicate the culture of terrorism (which has become a foolish trend nowadays), then it must learn from the lessons of Ireland -- that time will ultimately heal the wounds of division -- hence, comes enlightenment that will never allow history to repeat itself. References Atkins, S. E. (2004). Encyclopedia of modern worldwide extremists and extremist groups. Westport, CT: Greenwood. Combs, C. C., & Slann, M. W. (2007). Encyclopedia of terrorism. New York, NY: Infobase. D’Arrigo, L. A. (1993). The Irish Republican Army: Freedom fighters or terrorists? Wolfville, NS: Acadia UP. Derkins, S. (2003). The Irish Republican Army. New York, NY: Rosen. Fattah, M. A. (2007). Terrorism. Farmington Hills, MI: Greenhaven. Shanahan, T. (2009). The Provisional Irish Republican Army and the morality of terrorism. George Square, EH: Edinburgh UP. Smith, M. L. R. (1997). Fighting for Ireland? The Military Strategy of the Irish Republican Movement. London: Routledge. White, R. W. (1993). Provisional Irish Republicans: An oral and interpretive history. Westport, CT: Greenwood. Read More