Thirdly the IRA also feel that the British have always sided with the Unionists. In 1921 when the partition was agreed, 3 parties were included in this decision, the British, Nationalists and Ulster Unionists. However 2 leaders in the conservative party and Edward Carson, a friend and Unionist leader were determined to keep Northern Ireland part of Britain and with these 2 sides agreeing with each other the IRA didn’t stand a chance.
Another point is that the British did nothing to help with the persecution of Catholics. During August 1971 internment began, meaning people could be imprisoned without a trial. Over 1500 people were arrested, all were Catholics/Republicans. Two thirds of them were innocent and released. When the British army was first bought in they were welcomed by the Catholics. But a 36 hour curfew was introduced which made them angry as they were being accused just because they were Catholics. This led to an increase in IRA members. This is a good example of the British siding with the Unionists as it shows they had no sympathy to the Catholics.
A final point that shows the British have always sided with the Unionists is in 1995. The Ceasefire was already in action and the British had agreed that peace talks would take place soon. However in 1995 the Unionists pressured the British into making the IRA decommission before any talks took place. The British gave in and the IRA were told to hand in their weapons. This is a good example because they IRA felt that if they handed over their weapons they would have completely surrendered before the peace talks had even taken place.
Problems with the Unionists - A second reason the IRA are reluctant to decommission is due to problems with the Unionists.
One problem with the Unionists is that they have strong opposing views to the IRA. A first example of this is in 1912-1913 when the Unionists agreed to go to war against the British and support the Republicans. However many protestants felt threatened by an Irish government dominated by Catholics feeling that they might lose their power if Nationalists got in their way and began to see them as enemies. Due to this they saw the British as their protectors and so joined forces with the British. This is a good example because it shows the Unionists would much rather have a Protestant government as opposed to a Catholic one.
A second example of the Unionists having different views is in 1921 when the Unionists demanded partition. James Craig had replaced Edward Carson as the leader of the Ulster Unionists. Craig had originally wanted to keep the whole of Ireland part of the UK. But in 1921 Craig became the first prime minister of Northern Ireland and had many friends in the Conservative party during the negotiations of the partition of Ireland. This example shows that the Unionists wanted a split Ireland and would not accept a united Ireland and because of the links with the Conservative Party, they got their own way.
A final example of the different views between the 2 sides took place in the 1970’s to 1980’s. The Unionists had always refused to involve the Nationalists in their Ulster government. In 1974 they refused the power sharing system with all protestant workers going on strike which lasted 2 weeks and bought ordinary life in the provenance to a halt. Unionists were also defensive throughout the 1980’s and were always worried about the talks that went on between the IRA and the British. This is a good example because it shows the Unionists only agree to the things they have decided upon.
A second problem between the IRA and the Unionists is the Unionists reluctance to accept a compromise. Firstly during the 1920’s to 1960’s the Unionists controlled Northern Ireland and it was very much a protestant state. They used this to keep Catholics weak. Many of the Catholics living there refused to accept the split and 453 people were killed due to fighting between the two religions. This led to more fear against the Catholics and their links in the south. The parliament set up in Northern Ireland was supposed to look after the welfare of Catholics as well as Protestants but since the Protestants had the majority this didn’t happen. This meant the Protestant Unionists used their political power to help their own community meaning Catholics couldn’t get any decent jobs or housing. This is a good example as it shows the Unionists sided with each other leaving the Catholics to fend for themselves.
A second example that shows the Unionists were reluctant to compromise is the failed attempt at power sharing during the 1970’s. The British set up a Northern Ireland Assembly and although mostly Unionists won the seats some Catholics also won and they agreed together on a plan for power sharing. This meant setting up a Northern Ireland Executive which included Nationalists as well as Unionists. The Power sharing executive took over in January 74. But even before they began work they were condemned by the amount of protestants in the community. This shows that even when something was being done to make things equal most Unionists refused to compromise.
A final example of the lack of compromise is during 1990-2005 when the Unionists refused to talk until decommissioning takes place, meaning peace talks wouldn’t take place until all the weapons had been removed from the IRA. Despite the fact that decommissioning was happening slowly Ian Paisley demanded photo’s of the IRA doing so. The IRA refused as the photo’s could be used to humiliate the IRA showing how they have given into the British. This is a good example because the IRA were decommissioning and yet still they wont compromise and trust the IRA they have to have photos.
A final reason there are problems with the Unionists is the Unionist paramilitaries have continued to keep their guns and continue to use them. A first example of this is in 1975 when, during the ceasefire, Unionists attacked a group of Catholics. This provoked the IRA and the ceasefire was over. This is a good example as why would the IRA give up their weapons when even during a ceasefire the Unionists still use weapons?
A second example of the Unionists continuing with violence is shown when Gerry Adams was shot. Even though he survived it still shows that the Unionists cannot be trusted if the IRA hand over weapons because they could carry on causing problems and the IRA couldn’t fight back.
A final example of the violence is during the 1990’s. In 1991-93 there was a great increase in deaths of Catholics by the Loyalist paramilitaries which soon became greater than the amount of Protestants killed by the IRA. Again this example shows the IRA are not likely to give up their weapons while the Unionists still have use of theirs.
Problems within the IRA itself - A final reason the IRA are reluctant to decommissioning is that there are numerous problems within the IRA.
Firstly some people in the IRA feel negotiation with the British will end in disaster and the only way to get a desired outcome is to continue fighting the long war they have always fought. A first example of this dates back to 1921 when the partition agreement was made. Michael Collins was sent over to make the negotiations and sign the treaty. However when he returned Eamon De Valera was furious with the treaty as he had wanted the British to fully hand over Ireland. As a result the IRA split into two sides, those who accepted the split and those who didn’t. This was a key problem because if they couldn’t settle differences between themselves how could they solve problems they had with the British?
A second example of this was during the 1980’s. Much like Michael Collins, Gerry Adams decided the only way to try and get a United Ireland was to negotiate with the British. He took part in secret talks with the British leading to a number of ceasefires, all ended in disaster and even more splits in the IRA. Many people still believed the only way to win a United Ireland was to continue with the War they had been fighting since the very beginning and others agreed to the compromising. Many threats were made to Adams during this time such as, “Remember Michael Collins,” meaning he got shot for believing the same idea. This is a good example as once again many people in the IRA had different views on what should be done.
A final example of this is that since 1994 2 groups in the IRA have split away and continued fighting the way they always have. The R-IRA and the C-IRA (the real and continuity IRA) have been responsible for bombing and planning terrorist activities. This is a good example as those who don’t agree with the others in the IRA are capable of doing anything.
A second problem within the IRA is the pressure of martyrdom and the events that have taken place in the past. They feel if they give in now it will have all been for nothing. A first example of this is in 1916, Easter Rising. All of the leaders of this event were executed and made martyrs. The IRA feel that because the leaders of Easter Rising didn’t give in then and died for what they believed in that they should have the same attitude. This is a good example because if the IRA feel pressured to uphold tradition then they aren’t likely to give in without a fight.
A second example of this is the hunger strikes in the “H blocks.” Bobby Sands died during his hunger strike making him a hero of the IRA. He also died for his cause. This is a good example as the IRA are pressured once again because if they give up all the people who died during the hunger strikes will have done so for no reason.
A final example of this is the strong tradition the IRA have had in fighting the British. There have been so many fights between the British and the IRA that the IRA feel that giving up now is like forgetting all that happened and that all the people who died, died for no reason. This is a good example as the IRA don’t want the families of those killed in previous battles died when all along negotiations could have been made.
A final problem within the IRA is that some members fear that Gerry Adams may sell them out to the British. For the members who want to carry on the long war they would need their weapons. A first example of this during 1921. The IRA felt that Collins sold them out by accepting the South of Ireland only. This split the IRA and cost Collins his life as he was later shot. This is a good example as negotiations with the British have led to getting the IRA less than they wanted before and also led to splits and the death of a leader.
A final example of this is in 1995. IRA hardliners made threats against Gerry Adams as he was continuing peace talks with the British. The IRA felt he was betraying the fight for total independence and was making decisions based on his parties ideas and no one else’s. This is a good example as it shows there was no communication between all the different views in the IRA.
Conclusion
After discussing the following points I have found there are lots of reasons why the IRA are slow to decommission including themselves, the British and the Unionists. The key point is that there is a lack of trust for the British and the Unionists who have always sided with each other, once trust is gained the IRA will be more willing to work with both sides and feel safe handing over their weapons. But saying that even if they sort out the problem of trust the IRA still need the whole of the IRA behind the decision therefore I feel the most important reason is problems within the IRA. If they want to decommission it has to be done in a united way and at the moment that’s not happening.
In the present day and in the future this problem might be close to solving itself. After the murder of Robert McCartney and the outrage towards the IRA that followed, the fact that their own people are objecting to what happened might persuade them all to decommission.
