Irish Republican Army (IRA): terrorist or resistant organisation?

Résumé du document

IRA, also called Provisional Irish Republican Army, is a paramilitary organization which fights for the end of British domination in Northern Ireland to realize the total independence of Ireland. In Ireland, many organizations tried to be called by the name of Irish Republic Army. The first organization to be called IRA was the army of the Irish Republic, which was founded in 1919, following the defeat of the Irish rebellions (Easter 1916 insurrection). After the independence war from 1919-1921, 26 counties were gathered in UDI Irish Republic and IRA was considered legitimate as its army.

Extraits

[...] We are confident that by working together Irish republicans can achieve our objectives. Every volunteer is aware of the import of the decisions we have taken and all Oglaigh (volunteers) are compelled to fully comply with these orders. There is now an unprecedented opportunity to utilise the considerable energy and goodwill which there is for the peace process. This comprehensive series of unparalleled initiatives is our contribution to this and to the continued endeavours to bring about independence and unity for the people of Ireland.” The IRA has formally ordered an end to its armed campaign and says it will pursue exclusively peaceful means. [...]

[...] There is a strong support among IRA members for Sinn Fein's peace strategy. Volunteers mustn't engage in any other activities whatsoever. The political reactions (notably by the British and Irish governments) were mitigated. Some reactions were feelings of relief to learn this decision. Politicians welcomed the statement and said if the IRA's words "are borne out by actions, it will be a momentous and historic development". Prime Minister Tony Blair said it was a "step of unparalleled magnitude". is what we have striven for and worked for throughout the eight years since the Good Friday Agreement," he said. [...]

[...] The two most tremendous actions of Ira are the assassination of Lord Louis Mountbatten, a relative of the Queen and last viceroy of India (1979), and the attempt of murdering Margareth Thatcher in Brighton (1984). After seeing the key dates of the Ira history, we will try to think why Ira can be seen on one hand as a terrorist organisation but as a resistant organisation too one the other hand. Finally, we will speak about the end of IRA and the implications. [...]

[...] There is an enormous responsibility on us to seize this moment and to make Irish freedom a reality.” So we can conclude that reactions are very different. People are hanging on and were globally sceptics. Conclusion We have seen that IRA have today a heavy past. IRA can be seen on one hand as a terrorist organisation but as a resistant organisation too one the other hand. But nowadays, IRA has formally ordered an end to its armed campaign and says it will pursue exclusively peaceful means. [...]

[...] We reiterate our view that the armed struggle was entirely legitimate. We are conscious that many people suffered in the conflict. There is a compelling imperative on all sides to build a just and lasting peace. The issue of the defence of nationalist and republican communities has been raised with us. There is a responsibility on society to ensure that there is no reoccurrence of the pogroms of 1969 and the early-1970s. There is also a universal responsibility to tackle sectarianism in all its forms. [...]