Will there be a New IRA Attack this Easter Weekend?

[09/04/2023]

This Easter weekend is one of the most significant in Ireland's history. It marks 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed. This was a groundbreaking treaty that ended The Troubles and finally bought resolution to the major conflicts between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. The agreement displayed the new, more cordial relationship between the United Kingdom and Ireland. It allowed inter-government cooperation between the two countries, with it also the possibility of a referendum for Northern Ireland to create a unified Ireland. (Passia, 2004) Since 1998, relations between the two countries have been up and down. Recently, it has firmly been on a downward trend. We previously wrote about how the terror threat in the UK was raised due to the possibility of an Irish nationalist attack. Due to the significance of this Easter weekend, police in both countries believe an attack is likely. These potential threats come as US President Joe Biden's planned visit to Belfast, another factor contributing to the potential of an attack. In an interview with Sky News (2023), Northern Irish Police Constable Simon Byrne revealed they had "strong intelligence" that an attack was being planned for the Easter weekend. Police have been stationed in major cities to combat any potential attack. 

We will post any additional updates on this story when they occur. 

Reference List

Blevins, David. “Northern Ireland Police Have “Strong Intelligence” of Attacks Being Planned against Officers on Easter Monday.” Sky News, 7 Apr. 2023, news.sky.com/story/northern-ireland-police-have-strong-intelligence-of-attacks-being-planned-against-officers-on-easter-monday-12851659. Accessed 10 Apr. 2023.

Coakley, John. “ETHNIC CONFLICT and the TWO-STATE SOLUTION: THE IRISH EXPERIENCE of PARTITION.” Passia, 10 Oct. 2004, www.passia.org/seminars/2004/John-Coakley-Ireland-Seminar.htm. Accessed 10 Apr. 2023.