Dissident Irish Republicans
Key points:
- Dissident groups are hardline splinters from the Provisional IRA.
- They reject the Northern Ireland peace process and seek to create a united Ireland through violent means.
- RIRA and CIRA continue to plan and carry out attacks.
"Dissident Irish republican terrorism" is the term used to cover the activity of republican groups that reject the 1998 Belfast Agreement and political engagement with the British or Irish Governments on any subject other than a united Ireland.
The two main dissident groups, which developed after splits within the Provisional IRA, are the "Real" IRA (RIRA) and the Continuity IRA (CIRA).
RIRA bombing in Omagh, August 1998
They both continue to be actively involved in low-level campaigns. In addition to improvised explosive device and incendiary attacks against infrastructure and commercial targets, dissident Irish republicans continue to engage in activities such as punishment beatings/shootings and warnings to individuals, accused of 'anti-social behaviour', to leave certain areas.
The Independent Monitoring Commission reported in April 2007 that both groups continue to pose an active and dangerous threat. Recent dissident republican terrorist activity has included incendiary attacks against commercial premises in Northern Ireland, causing millions of pounds worth of damage.
RIRA was responsible for the campaign of attacks in Great Britain in 2000-2001, which included a rocket-propelled grenade attack on the Secret Intelligence Service HQ in September 2000 and car bombs outside the BBC Television Centre in Shepherds Bush and in Ealing in March and August 2001 respectively.
The most recent RIRA attack in Great Britain was in Birmingham in November 2001. The group also carried out the Omagh bombing in Northern Ireland in 1998, which claimed 29 civilian lives.
