IRA Violence and Sinn Fein Popularity and Moves Towards Peace

IRA Violence in the 1980s

• The 1980s were marked by a sustained campaign of violence by the Irish Republican Army (IRA) as part of their ongoing effort to end British rule in Northern Ireland and achieve a united Ireland.

  • The IRA's activities during this period included bombings, assassinations, and armed attacks, both in Northern Ireland and on the British mainland.
  • One of the most infamous incidents was the Brighton Hotel bombing in 1984, where the IRA attempted to assassinate Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and her cabinet during the Conservative Party conference.

• Although Thatcher survived, the attack killed five people and injured many others, demonstrating the IRA's capability to strike at the heart of the British establishment.

• The IRA also targeted British soldiers, police officers, and members of the Northern Irish security forces.

• Attacks were often brutal and designed to instil fear, such as the Remembrance Day bombing in Enniskillen in 1987, which killed 11 civilians and injured 63 others during a ceremony to honour fallen soldiers.

• The IRA's campaign, while aimed at weakening British resolve, often alienated the nationalist community due to the civilian casualties and widespread destruction it caused.

• Despite these consequences, the IRA maintained significant support in certain areas, particularly those hardest hit by the conflict.

Sinn Féin Making Political Gains

• During the 1980s, Sinn Féin, the political wing of the IRA, began to make significant strides in establishing itself as a legitimate political force. Under the leadership of Gerry Adams, Sinn Féin adopted the "Armalite and ballot box" strategy, combining armed struggle with participation in electoral politics.

• This strategy began to pay off with the election of Bobby Sands to the British Parliament in 1981, shortly before his death on hunger strike.

  • Sands' election was a powerful statement of support for the republican cause and highlighted the growing political influence of Sinn Féin within the nationalist community.
  • In subsequent years, Sinn Féin continued to build on this momentum, winning seats in local councils and gaining a foothold in the political landscape of Northern Ireland.

• The party positioned itself as the legitimate voice of the nationalist community, advocating for Irish unity and challenging the dominance of more moderate nationalist parties like the SDLP (Social Democratic and Labour Party).

• By the end of the decade, Sinn Féin had established itself as a key player in Northern Irish politics, laying the groundwork for its future role in the peace process.

• The party's increasing electoral success demonstrated the appeal of its message to a significant portion of the nationalist community despite its association with the IRA's violent campaign.

Towards a Strategy for Peace Document

• In 1987, Sinn Féin published the "Towards a Strategy for Peace" document, which outlined the party's vision for achieving a united Ireland through a combination of political and military means.
• The document was a significant development in the Republican movement's approach to the conflict, emphasising the importance of political engagement alongside the ongoing armed struggle.
• The document argued that a political solution was necessary to complement the IRA's military campaign and called for dialogue between all parties involved in the conflict, including the British government.
• It also proposed establishing a national dialogue among Irish people, both North and South, to determine the future of the island.
• While the document maintained the IRA's commitment to armed struggle, it marked a shift in republican thinking, acknowledging the need for a broader strategy that included political negotiation.
• This change in approach would later play a crucial role in the peace process, as it laid the groundwork for Sinn Féin's participation in talks that ultimately led to the Good Friday Agreement.

Peter Brooke Facilitating Talks in the Early 1990s

• Peter Brooke, who served as the British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from 1989 to 1992, played a key role in facilitating early discussions that would eventually lead to the peace process.

  • Recognising the need for dialogue, Brooke made a significant statement in 1990, acknowledging that Britain had "no selfish strategic or economic interest" in Northern Ireland and that the British government was open to any solution that had the consent of the majority of its people.

• Brooke's declaration was a turning point, as it signalled the British government's willingness to engage in discussions with all parties, including Sinn Féin, provided they were committed to peaceful means.

• This helped to create a more conducive environment for talks, as it reassured nationalists that Britain was not committed to a permanent partition and opened the door for potential negotiations.

• Brooke also laid the groundwork for the Downing Street Declaration in 1993, which further advanced the peace process by outlining the principles for future talks and reaffirming the need for any settlement to have the consent of the people of Northern Ireland.

• Although Brooke stepped down before the declaration was signed, his efforts were instrumental in shifting the British government's approach to the conflict and in creating the conditions for dialogue.

Thatcher's Resignation and Its Importance

• Margaret Thatcher's resignation in November 1990 marked the end of an era in British politics and had significant implications for Northern Ireland.

• Thatcher's hardline policies and uncompromising stance on the IRA had defined British policy in Northern Ireland throughout the 1980s.

• Her refusal to make concessions during the Hunger Strikes, her opposition to any form of Irish involvement in Northern Irish affairs, and her role in the Anglo-Irish Agreement all left a lasting impact on the region.

• Thatcher's resignation brought John Major to power, who, while sharing many of her views, adopted a more flexible approach to Northern Ireland.

• Major was more willing to engage in dialogue and saw the potential for a political solution to the conflict.

• This shift in leadership helped to create a more conducive environment for the peace process, as Major was open to exploring new avenues for resolving the conflict, including engaging with Sinn Féin, provided the IRA was willing to end its armed campaign.

• Thatcher's departure also removed a major obstacle to cooperation between the British and Irish governments, as her relationship with Irish leaders had often been strained.

• Major's willingness to build on Peter Brooke's groundwork eventually led to the Downing Street Declaration and further progress towards peace.

Strategy for Peace and Justice in Northern Ireland

• The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the development of a more coherent strategy for peace and justice in Northern Ireland. Both the British and Irish governments, along with key political parties in Northern Ireland, began to recognise that a purely military solution to the conflict was unattainable.

  • The Downing Street Declaration of 1993 was a key component of this strategy. It emphasised the need for self-determination for the people of Northern Ireland and reaffirmed that any change in the region's status would require the consent of the majority.

• The declaration also committed both the British and Irish governments to work towards a peaceful resolution, rejecting the use of violence and calling for all parties to engage in dialogue.

• This strategy also sought to address the deep-rooted issues of inequality and injustice that had fuelled the conflict.

• The British government began to implement measures aimed at improving the social and economic conditions in Northern Ireland, particularly in neglected nationalist areas.

• These efforts included investments in education, housing, and employment and reforms to the justice system to ensure fair treatment for all communities.

• While challenges remained, this evolving strategy laid the foundation for the peace process, eventually leading to the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.

• It recognised that lasting peace in Northern Ireland could only be achieved through dialogue, justice, and a commitment to addressing the underlying causes of the conflict.