The Provisional IRA: From Insurrection to Parliament - Softcover

McKearney, Tommy

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0745330746 ISBN 13: 9780745330747

Publisher: Pluto Press, 1900

Synopsis

This book analyses the underlying reasons behind the formation of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), its development, where this current in Irish republicanism is at present and its prospects for the future. Tommy McKearney, a former IRA member who was part of the 1980 hunger strike, challenges the misconception that the Provisional IRA was only, or even wholly, about ending partition and uniting Ireland. He argues that while these objectives were always the core and headline demands of the organisation, opposition to the old Northern Ireland state was a major dynamic for the IRA's armed campaign. As he explores the makeup and strategy of the IRA he is not uncritical, examining alternative options available to the movement at different periods, arguing that its inability to develop a clear socialist programme has limited its effectiveness and reach. This authoritative and engaging history provides a fascinating insight into the workings and dynamics of a modern resistance movement.

About this title

Review:

'This is a novel and important contribution. It covers the whole period of IRA development, strategy, activity and transformation. It does so with a clear and unambiguous understanding of motivation and motivational re-direction and in so doing creates and answers key theoretical questions via the use of extensive material evidence. In terms of marketing there is no doubt given the authors profile and the books content that it will receive significant media attention.' Pete Shirlow, School of Law, Queens University Belfast 'This is an important book and from a commercial view point it will be very successful. This in part is due to the authors historical testimony but also due to his respected role in the early period of the insurgency.'Paul Stewart, Professor of Sociology of Work and Employment, Director of Research, Department of Human Resource Management, University of Strathclyde.'Most accounts by former IRA members narrate their own involvement. This proposal is different in that it comes through the eyes of an activist less concerned with what happened and more with why it happened. Reading through the proposed structure outlined by the author I would be hard pressed to identify a weakness at this stage.' Anthony McIntyre, PhD. Activist and Co-founder of The Blanket

About the Author:

Tommy McKearney was a senior member of the Provisional IRA from the early 1970s until his arrest in 1977. Sentenced to life imprisonment, he served 16 years during which time he participated in the 1980 hunger strike in the Maze. He is now a freelance journalist and an organiser with the Independent Workers Union.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pluto Press
• Publication date: 1900
• ISBN 10: 0745330746
• ISBN 13: 9780745330747
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 248