This presentation is designed to give the viewer a visual indication of the complexities involved in identifying the various actors within the Irish Republican sphere. The starting point is listed as the group - IRA, indicating the traditional organisation that was in existence prior to late 1960’s. It should be noted that quite often dissident groups have carried out attacks using other titles such as Oglaigh na h’Eireann. It should also be noted that this tree is not exclusive, that there have been other smaller groups active within this area, I have only included the more prominent groups that are widely known.

Irish Republican Army

Provisional Irish Republican Army

(PIRA) & Provisional Sinn Fein

Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA) & Official

Sinn Fein

Provisional Irish Republican Army

(PIRA) & Provisional Sinn

Fein

Continuity Irish Republican Army

(CIRA) & Republican Sinn

Fein

Real Irish Republican Army

(RIRA) & 32 County

Sovereignty Movement (32

CSM)

1970 Split

Official Irish Republican

Army (OIRA) & Official Sinn

Fein

Sinn Fein Workers

Party

Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) & Irish

Republican Socialist Party

(IRSP)

Official Republica

n Movement

(ORM)

Irish Peoples Liberation

Organisation (IPLO)

1986/87

1997

1996/971987-1992

1974

For a detailed discussion and analysis of PIRA and its structures – Horgan & Taylor ‘s ‘The provisional Irish republican army: Command and functional structure’ Terrorism & Political Violence,01 Sept 1997.

URL : http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09546559708427413

If you have any questions or if you require any further explanation of the relationships between the groups and their political manifestations –

patrick.finucane2@mail.dcu.ie