IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY

BIRTH IN 1914 THTE BRITISH PARLIAMENT PASSED THE GOVERNMENT OF IRELAND ACT BUT WAITED TO ENACT IT UNTIL AFTER WWI. IN APRIL 1916 THE IRISH VOLUNTEERS AND THE IRISH CITIZEN ARMY LEAD BY JAMES CONNOLLY JOIND FORCES DURRING THE EASTER RISING TO REBEL AGAINST THE BRITISH. THEY WERE UNSUCESSFUL AND THE LEADERS WERE LATER EXECUTED BY THE BRITISH. IN JANUARY 1919 THIS GROUP OF REBELS BECAME THE OFFICIAL ARMY OF THE NEWLY ELECTED IRISH PARLIAMENT; THE DAIL. HENCE BECOMING THE IRISH REPUBLICAN ARMY. SINCE THE END OF THE IRISH CIVIL WAR IN 1922 VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE CLAIMED THE LINIAGE OF THE FIST IRA. AMONG THESES ARE THE ORIGINAL IRA, PROVISIONAL IRA, CONTINUITY IRA, AND REAL IRA.

GOOD FRIDAY AGREEMENT Signed on April 10, 1998 by the British and Irish governments. The future of Northern Ireland would be decided by a vote. Numerous councils were formed to deal with aspects of the conflict. Decommissioning of weapons was agreed upon. An end to violence was agreed to.

PRESENT ON OCTOBER 4 TH 2006 THE INDEPENDENT MONITORING COMMISSION DEEMED THE PIRA TO NO LONGER BE CONDUCTING TERRORIST ACTIVITIES AND TO HAVE FULLY DISARMED. MOST OF THE CURRENT VIOLENCE OCURRS DURING THE MARCHING SEASON FROM THE MONDAY AFTER EASTER THROUGH SEPTEMBER. HOWEVER IN 2006 THE MARCHING SEASON WAS PEACEFUL. THE IRA NOW CHOOSES TO ACHIEVE ITS GOALS THROUGH ITS POLITICAL WING: SINN FEIN.

VIDEOS (To 2:06) (To 1:18)

PROPOSITIONS 1.THE GOOD FRIDAY ACCORDS HAVE SUCESSFULLY ENDED THE CONFLICT. 2.THE USE OF TERRORIST TACTICS IS NEVER JUSTIFIED. 3.TERRORISM DOES NOT HELP A GROUP ACHIEVE ITS GOALS. 4.STATES SHOULD NEVER GIVE INTO TERRORIST DEMANDS.