The Official Irish Republican Army or Official IRA (OIRA; Irish: Óglaigh na hÉireann) was an Irish republican paramilitary group whose goal was to remove Northern Ireland from the United Kingdom and create a "workers' republic" encompassing all of Ireland. [2]

27 August - The OIRA in South Down and South Armagh claimed responsibility for seven gun attacks against the British Army in the previous three months, stating they were in retaliation for the "extreme brutality" of the 3rd Parachute Regiment stationed in the area.

The Battle of Lenadoon was a series of gun battles fought over a six day period from 9–14 July 1972 [1] between the Provisional IRA and the British Army. It started on Thursday, 9 July 1972 in and around the Lenadoon Avenue area and spread to other places in Belfast.

Feb 8, 2010 · OIRA targeted mostly British security forces, as well as members of the PIRA and some civilians. With the prominent exception of a 1972 bombing at a British military base that killed 7, OIRA attacks were mostly shootings with one to two fatalities.

Aug 15, 2024 · Members of the Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA) engaged in a gun battle with members of the Provisional IRA (PIRA). The feud between the two wings of the IRA had been developing ever since the Republic movement split on 11 January 1970.

Oct 20, 2023 · The driver, who was dressed in civilian clothing, ran away when his gun was discovered unintentionally. The gun was a M10 9mm (Mac-10) Military Armament Corporation machine pistol. Not a British army standard issue.

Feb 20, 2018 · IT was a process shrouded in secrecy and the destruction of weapons first by the Provisional IRA, and later loyalist paramilitaries and smaller republican groups, was essential to sealing the...

In August 1971, after the introduction of internment without trial, OIRA units fought numerous gun battles with British troops who were deployed to arrest paramilitary suspects. [citation needed] Most notably the Official IRA company in the Markets area of Belfast, led by Joe McCann, held off an incursion into the area by over 600 British troops.

Aug 15, 2024 · Arsenal: Prior to decommissioning it was believed that the OIRA possessed 300-400 rifles; a small number of heavy machineguns; and dozens of hand guns. Status: Active. Membership: Membership is probably numbered in the dozens. When the rIRA called a ceasefire in 1998 it is believed that some members joined the CIRA.

Feb 4, 2022 · You had 7 Official IRA gunmen confess to handing out guns in the Bogside that day, several of whom confessed to firing on the army. Analysis of the tv footage that day reveals this was a full blown riot with 2 soldiers wounded by acid bombs.