Region:
Western Europe

Status:
Active

Established:
December 10, 1974

Leader:
Unknown

Strength:
Several dozen, plus several hundred sympathizers.

History/Notes:
A war for national liberation continues in Ireland today, which traces its roots to the original conquest of the island by Britain in 1167. In its most current phase, this war has centered on bringing to an end the continued occupation by Britain of six counties in Northeast Ireland. The Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP) and Irish National Liberation Army [INLA] were founded on December 10, 1974. Most original members were drawn from Official Sinn Fein and the Official IRA (the organizations from which the Provisional Irish Republican Movement had split five years earlier). INLA, which initially used the name People's Liberation Army (PLA) and has also used a number of covernames including People's Republican Army (PRA) and Catholic Reaction Force (CRF).

While acknowledging that national liberation and socialism cannot be achieved through a military victory by guerrilla forces in the national liberation campaign, the IRSP defends the right of the revolutionary forces to employ this tactic whenever useful to achieve its aims. The Party also understands that no parliamentary road to socialism exists, and feels no compulsion to participate in all electoral campaigns, but is prepared to use parliamentary politics and hold elective office as a means of carrying out propaganda, and where possible to aid the self-organization of the working class towards winning immediate objectives.

Since August 1994 the INLA held to a 'No First Strike' policy of not initiating any offensive military action, while continuing to respond in actions against the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC). INLA recently ended its no first strike policy in the wake of the Good Friday Agreement.

Riots followed the 1997 assassination of LVF leader Billy Wright when loyalist gangs in Portadown and other towns hijacked and burned cars and attacked police with Molotov cocktails. In retaliation for Wright's killing, three men opened fire in front of the Glengannon Hotel on December 28, killing 45-year-old former IRA terrorist and convicted murderer (released in 1994) Seamus Dillon. Three others, including a 14-year-old boy, were wounded. The LVF claimed responsibility for the attack, as well as a subsequent new year's eve attack on a North Belfast bar which fatally wounded 31-year-old Catholic Eddie Treanor.

Stated Goal(s):
Removal of British forces from Northern Ireland; unification of Ireland. The object of the INLA remains a 32-county socialist republic, wherein the Irish working class will control the means of production, distribution and exchange, administered by the proletariat through workers' democracy.

Location:
Northern Ireland, Irish Republic, Great Britain, and Europe.

Area of Operation:
Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic

Terrorist Acts:

• misc. bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, extortion and robberies
• 1980s - engaged against occupational forces in the Six Counties
• assassination of Loyalist paramilitarist John McKeage of the Red Hand Commandos
• bombing of Mount Gabriel radar station near Cork, Ireland
• December 27 1997 - assassination of loyalist (LVF) terrorist leader Billy Wright at Maze prison

Support:
Has received aid from a variety of groups and countries and considerable training and arms from Libya and, at one time, the PLO. Also is suspected of receiving funds and arms from sympathizers in the United States. Similarities in operations suggest links to the ETA.

Other Links:

Irish Republican Army
Irish Republican Socialist Movement
Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP)
The Northern Ireland Conflict CAIN Web Service (Conflict Archive on the INternet)
Organisations That Were Prominent During 'the Troubles'