The violence during the Troubles The IRA hunger strikes
IRA paramilitaries
Loyalist paramilitaries
While a political solution was being pursued, there was near-constant violence on the streets of Northern Ireland and also IRA attacks within Britain. The IRA adopted a tactic they called ‘spectaculars’: staging large-scale attacks on the British mainland to make Britain want to exit Northern Ireland. For example, the Birmingham Pub Bombings of November 1974 killed 21 and injured 182 people. Attacks such as these led to a lot of anti-Irish feeling in Britain.
In addition, the IRA carried out frequent attacks in Northern Ireland which they claimed targeted the RUC and the army. However, many innocent civilians were killed. In all, the IRA was responsible for over half of the 3,500 deaths that occurred during the Troubles.
Loyalist terrorist groups also engaged in brutal attacks on civilians. They did not have the IRA’s funding, bomb-making skills or resources. Most of their attacks focused on killing Catholic civilians in Northern Ireland in supposed retaliation for IRA actions. These attacks were intended to terrify the Catholic population. The Dublin and Monaghan Bombings of May 1974 killed 33 civilians and injured 300 when a series of car bombs went off during rush hour. The UVF later claimed responsibility.
The security forces (RUC and army) also killed civilians while attempting to fi nd and stop terrorists on both sides.
5% 1%
11% Civilians 30% 53%
British security Republicans Loyalists
Irish security
Deaths during the Troubles
COLLABORATE: Research one terrorist attack by the IRA and one by loyalists during the Troubles and present a short report on them to your class.
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An IRA man patrols as children walk to school in Belfast
