Internal Brakes on Political Violence: A Case Study of Dissident Irish Republicanism

Armed dissident Irish republican groups are not using the level of violence of which they are capable, despite continuing to assert that they are at war in the pursuit of Irish unity. This article examines why this is the case and assesses the extent to which internal brakes are being applied within the dissident constituency. Data presented examines the agency of long-standing dissident republicans in the de-escalation of armed actions, perpetrated by the New and Continuity IRAs. Drawn from the authors’ archive of 90 interviews with dissidents, this article provides in-depth examination of dissident views on armed actions today, including rare and unique interview material. Interviewees include a founding member of the PIRA, honorary President of the 32CSM, alleged Chief of Staff of the Continuity IRA, Cumann na mBan, RSF and independents. Significantly, this work is the first to apply internal brakes to a base, rather than a single organization, demonstrating applicability of the typology beyond organizational units. Crucially, internal brakes can be effective within a fragmented base, if applied by the right voices. Conceptually, this article seeks to provide original insight into the de-escalation of violence amongst spoiler groups in peace processes; lessons which can be applied beyond Ireland.