London Daily

Focus on the big picture.

Darkley: A singing congregation silenced by gunfire

It was one of the most horrifying pieces of audio I ever put to air in my entire 40-year career in broadcast journalism.

The Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) was a republican paramilitary organization that operated in Northern Ireland and, to a lesser extent, in the Republic of Ireland during the Troubles, a period of ethno-nationalist conflict that lasted from the late 1960s to the late 1990s. The INLA was a small and relatively less prominent group compared to other paramilitary organizations like the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) or the Ulster Defence Association (UDA).

The INLA's origins can be traced back to a split within the Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA) in 1974. A faction of the OIRA disagreed with the group's shift towards Marxist-Leninist ideology and decided to form a new organization, which became known as the INLA. The INLA's goals included the establishment of a socialist republic in all of Ireland and the use of armed struggle to achieve this aim.

Throughout its existence, the INLA was responsible for various acts of violence, including bombings and shootings, often targeting security forces, rival paramilitary groups, and alleged informers. Like other paramilitary organizations involved in the conflict, the INLA's actions resulted in civilian casualties and contributed to the overall violence and instability in Northern Ireland.

In the late 1990s, as part of the broader peace process, the INLA declared a ceasefire and began decommissioning its weapons. This move was seen as a significant step towards ending armed conflict in Northern Ireland. The organization effectively disbanded in the following years, and its political wing, the Irish Republican Socialist Party (IRSP), shifted its focus towards peaceful political activism.

While the INLA was a relatively smaller and less influential group compared to some other paramilitary organizations involved in the Troubles, its actions played a part in the overall violence and suffering during that period. The peace process and ceasefires that began in the late 1990s eventually led to a more stable and peaceful Northern Ireland, although tensions and challenges continue to be part of the region's complex political landscape.

Newsletter

Related Articles

London Daily
0:00
0:00
Close
William and Kate's First Public Appearance Post-Chemotherapy
Trump Proposes Tariffs on Chinese Cars to Protect US Auto Industry
Heads of 9 post-Soviet states gather in Moscow, issue joint statement to the world
Viktor Orban expressed his view of the EU loud and clear, calling it 'a benign dictatorship at best, not a democracy.'
Controversy Over Metropolitan Police VIP Protection for Taylor Swift
Unilever Sells Russian Operations Amidst Activist Pressure
HSBC's Strategic Restructuring for Cost Savings
Sanjeev Gupta Faces Prosecution Over Missing Company Filings
Labour's Ambitious Employment Bill Aims for Worker Rights Reform
UK Maintains Non-negotiable Stance on Falklands and Gibraltar
Controversy Surrounds A75 Road Closures and 96-Mile Diversion
Crunch Time in Conservative Leadership Race
Keir Starmer's Challenges in the Wake of Sue Gray's Departure
Coroner Urges UK Government to Improve Severe ME Care
Starmer Calls for De-escalation in Middle East Amid Heightened Tensions
Chancellor Reeves Decides Against Pension Tax Hike
UK Advocates Urge Tobacco Windfall Tax and Permanent Levy
Starmer's Chief of Staff Plans Major Overhaul at Downing Street
Key Labour Thinktank Advocates New Powers for Mayors
Rachel Reeves Considers New Fiscal Rules for Infrastructure Spending
Great Britain Faces Lowest Winter Blackout Risk in Four Years
The Impact of Online Culture on Young Women: Survey Insights
Hypersonic Jet to Revolutionize Air Travel
Russian Medic Arrested for Alleged Satanism and Promoting LGBTQ Rights
UK: Chagos Islands Deal Was About Securing US Military Base
RT has converted key archive speeches delivered by Putin into spoken English using the help of AI
Walmart is now selling a new book titled The Achievements of Kamala Harris—and all the pages are blank.
Bill Gates: "6% of global emissions are cows... You can either fix the cows to stop them farting, or you can make beef without the cow."
Facilitated Communication: Miracle Tool or Manipulative Method?
The Allure of Browsing Online Property Portals: A Modern Obsession
Suspected Acid Attacker in London Bailed Amid Investigation
Tragic Channel Crossing: Four Migrants Killed
Labour Cabinet Ministers' Stances on Assisted Dying
The Influence of Tory Members on Party Leadership
UK Plans Major Overhaul of Employment Rights
UK Food Industry Lobbying Delays £1.7 Billion Plastic Packaging Tax
New UK Tipping Law Sparks Confusion Among Restaurant Staff
Debate Heats Up Over Assisted Dying Legislation in the UK
New Personalized Cancer Therapies Undergo Extensive Clinical Study
UAE Energy Minister: OPEC+ Doing a 'Noble' Job in Balancing Oil Market
Call for Wealth Tax Hikes to Curb Reform UK's Rise
Labour MP Supports Chancellor's Rejection of Wealth Tax
Debate Intensifies Over VAT Introduction for UK Private Schools
Israel Plans Retaliation Against Iran Amid Rising Regional Tensions
Norwegian Police Conclude 'Spy Whale' Hvaldimir's Death Due to Infection
Dominica Sells Citizenship to Boost Climate Resilience
Greta Thunberg Detained in Brussels During Protest Against Fossil Fuel Subsidies
UK Returns Chagos Islands to Mauritius After Decades-Long Dispute
UK Reaffirms Commitment to Overseas Territories Amid Falkland Islands Dispute
France's Silent March Supports Gisèle Pelicot: A Shocking Case
×