Addressing the Roots of Conflict

Analysis of the Long War in N. Ireland (1969-1994)

with

Oliver Corr & Tommy McKearney

Tommy McKearney Oliver Corr

Perceptions of Northern Irish conflict may be arbitrary

• Dates are only a starting point

Colonisation… Williamite war … French revolution… Foundation of Northern Ireland state … Conflict of late 20th century.

1994 ceasefire.

1998 Good Friday Agreement ended physical conflict but did not provide a conclusive accord for future

• An uneasy calm Northern Ireland’s First Minister Peter Robinson says that the arrangement is no longer fit for purpose

Some misconceptions about Irish conflict

• Religious war? Communities defined historically by religion but not a conflict over

theology e.g. Israel & Palestine

• Fighting Irish … congenitally predisposed to violenceNot true. Famine… Republic post 1923 & post 2008

• Britain separating two warring tribesLondon had/has strategic stake in Ireland

Roots of Northern Irish conflict

• 17th Century colonialismPlantation or Settlers displace indigenous in order to garrison

island

• Super power concerns in 20th centuryGreat Britain was world super power until after WW11

• Unequal and discriminatory societyNorthern Ireland systematically practiced discrimination and

enforced it by authoritarian regime

• One community privileged & authorised to police otherRegular police plus armed civilian population

Recent Northern Irish conflict

• Struggle to change nature of NI regime1968 Civil Rights movement … bitterly resisted by state &

supporters

• Resistance from local and central governments1969 street protest turned bloody. Drift towards insurrection

• Armed and bloody conflictBattle between;1) anti-state forces i.e. IRA

fighting 2) Central government plus local state & supporters

• Ended when outside intervened1994 … IRA ceasefire. Ground-work involved initiative by British

central government, Irish government, US government and IRA leadership

Current Northern Irish conflict

• Constant awareness of demographicsCatholic population increasing… a majority in under 40s.

Exacerbating unease and fueling sectarian politics.

• Economic declineGlobalisation has led to relative poverty & unemployment

• Changing face of UKBritish economy has changed … London centric and finance

focused

• Scottish referendum (Catalonia) Adding to unease…British PM offers federalism… No military intervention.

Expac Ltd … its foundation & ethos

• Founded in 1997 as prisoners assistance group Realisation of needs greater than welfare provision

• Need to share understanding of conflictNeed to challenge misconceptions and recognise realities

• Need to engage across the boardNot just with former prisoners but dialogue with all sections of

society

Expac Ltd … efforts and outcomes

• Welfare provision for former prisoners & familiesAssistance post release…research into impact … representation

• The Other View magazineJoint editorship …Understanding that all criticism is not

dangerous

• Conflicts of Interest training Exchange of views but no proselytizing

• Provision of contact and conduits of communicationWork and progress unseen and often underrated

Expac Ltd … Future

• Communication for marginalised communitiesTechnology in modern age & Techniques for the new technology

• Engaging: discontented, disconnected & unsatisfiedEncouraging people to promote their view openly and respectfully

and with impact

• Speaking on air leads to speaking in person Sharing experiences and needs leads to positive common purpose

Thank You

Contact: tommy@expac.ie

PDF of this presentation at; http://www.expac.ie/blog/

oliver@expac.ieor

www.expac.ie