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Unfinished Business: The Politics of Dissident Irish Republicanism

Robert Reed

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Dissident Irish republicanism refers to militant Irish republican groups that have rejected the Good Friday Agreement and continue to pursue the aim of a united Ireland by violent means. These groups are distinct from the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA),which renounced violence and decommissioned its weapons as part of the Good Friday Agreement.

Unfinished business: The politics of 'dissident' Irish republicanism

by Evan Davis

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
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History

The roots of dissident Irish republicanism can be traced back to the early days of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. In 1969, the PIRA split into two factions: the Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA) and the Provisional IRA. The OIRA was willing to accept a political solution to the conflict, while the PIRA insisted on continuing the armed struggle.

In the early 1970s, the PIRA began to split again, with some members forming new groups such as the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) and the Irish People's Liberation Organisation (IPLO). These groups were critical of the PIRA's leadership and its focus on military operations.

In the 1980s and 1990s, the PIRA engaged in a sustained campaign of violence against British security forces and loyalist paramilitaries. This campaign culminated in the Omagh bombing in 1998, which killed 29 people and led to widespread public revulsion.

In the wake of the Omagh bombing, the PIRA agreed to a ceasefire and began negotiations with the British government. These negotiations resulted in the Good Friday Agreement, which was signed in 1998. The Good Friday Agreement provided for a power-sharing government in Northern Ireland, the release of political prisoners, and the decommissioning of paramilitary weapons.

However, some members of the PIRA were opposed to the Good Friday Agreement. These members argued that the agreement did not go far enough in terms of achieving a united Ireland and that it betrayed the sacrifices of those who had died in the armed struggle. These members formed new dissident republican groups, such as the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA) and the Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA).

Ideology

Dissident republican groups are united by their belief in a united Ireland and their rejection of the Good Friday Agreement. They argue that the Good Friday Agreement is a betrayal of the Irish republican cause and that it has failed to deliver on its promises of peace and justice.

Dissident republicans also believe that violence is a legitimate means of achieving their political goals. They argue that the British government is an illegitimate occupier of Northern Ireland and that the Irish people have a right to use violence to resist this occupation.

Activities

Dissident republican groups have been responsible for a number of violent attacks in Northern Ireland since the Good Friday Agreement. These attacks have included bombings, shootings, and assassinations.

Dissident republicans have also been involved in criminal activities, such as drug dealing and extortion. These activities have helped to fund their operations and to recruit new members.

Challenges to the Peace Process

Dissident republican groups pose a significant challenge to the peace process in Northern Ireland. Their violent attacks have undermined public confidence in the peace process and have made it difficult to build a shared future between the two communities.

Dissident republicans also represent a threat to the stability of the power-sharing government in Northern Ireland. If they are able to carry out further attacks or gain widespread support, they could destabilize the government and bring down the peace process.

Dissident Irish republicanism is a serious threat to the peace process in Northern Ireland. Their violent attacks and criminal activities have undermined public confidence in the peace process and made it difficult to build a shared future between the two communities.

The British and Irish governments need to work together to address the challenge posed by dissident republicans. They need to take steps to prevent further attacks, to disrupt their criminal activities, and to address the underlying causes of their grievances.

Unfinished business: The politics of 'dissident' Irish republicanism

by Evan Davis

4.8 out of 5