IRA Structure
Note
The following information is related to the Provisional IRA (1969-Present) and the Provisional Army Council
The IRA Army Council has been the day-to-day leadership of the Provisional since its formation in 1969. It is thought to have seven members, who can come from any part of Ireland (North or South). Traditionally the Army Council has at least one representative from Belfast. The Army Council is elected by a 12-member Army Exective (see below), who select seven of its members for the Army Council. The Army Council then elects among its members a Chief of Staff, who will lead the council, then below them a 9-member General HeadQuarters (GHQ). Sometimes there is a struggle on the Army Council, for example between Hardliners ('Hawks') and Moderates ('Doves'). Some hardliners went on to form the Real IRA in 1997, although none known from the Army Council. The AC is usually elected every two years, although it can be elected sooner if the situation desires it. During 2005, it is thought their was a big change on the Council as Political members resigned. The IRA's Chiefs Of Staff can be found on another page.
IRA Army Executive
The Army Executive is a 12-member body elected at the bi-yearly General Army Convention (GAC) (See Below). It elects 7 of its members for the Army Council. The remaining spaces are then refilled by members of those present at the Convention. If an Army Council member retires, is jailed or killed etc then an Army Executive member must be voted to be replace them.
General Army Convention (GAC)
The GAC is made up of delegates from IRA Units and Political groups, and is responsible for electing, from its delegates, a 12-member Army Executive, who in turn elect the Army Council, who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the IRA. A GAC is usually held every 2-years unless a majority deem it neccesary to either postpone a convention or hold one sooner. In 1997, the Convention is thought to of been held at Falcarragh, Co. Donegal, Ireland. At this convention some members left and formed the hardline dissident Real IRA. In 2002, the convention is thought to of been held in County Cavan, Ireland. Where several changes to the leadership were made. It is likely another was held in late 2005/ early 2006 due to many changes in the leadership, resulting from political figures reisgning.
General Headquarters (GHQ)
The GHQ is elected by the Army Council and has nine members. Each member represents an important department within the IRA. The positions of the GHQ are as follows:
Director Of Engineering
Director Of Intelligence
Director Of Logistics
Director Of Operations
Director Of Education
Director Of Training
Director Of Internal Security
Quartermaster-General
Adjutant-General
IRA Structure
All IRA Volunteers are now organised into tightly-knit cells of only a few Volunteers known as 'Active Service Units (ASU). Although this was not always the case. The IRA chose to change the structure of the IRA Volunteers in 1976 because of infiltration by enemies and informants causing high damage, able to name more names. In the beggining, the IRA used a 'Brigades and Battalions' structure, with every volunteer joining a Battalion chosen by where they lived. There was also more Brigades and Battalions than at present.
Belfast Brigade
The biggest IRA Brigade was, and is believed to be, Belfast with around 100 members which were split into 3 Battalions. There was also the Belfast Cumann Na Mban (League of Women) for female IRA Volunteers. Gerry Adams, now President of Sinn Fein is believed to of at one time been the commander of the Second Battalion of the Belfast Brigade. Each Battalion of the Belfast Brigade has around 40 members at its height, with each battalion having companies of around 10 volunteers. For example, Adams is thought to of been a member of 'D Company' of the 2nd Battalion.
Derry Brigade
The Derry Brigade is thought to be slightly smaller than Belfast with around 80 members. It encompasses the city of Derry, particularly the south Derry IRA strongholds of the Bogside and the Creggan, and the areas around Derry in County Derry. Sinn Fein Chief Negotiator was alleged by some, without proof that he was the leader of the IRA in Derry throughout the 1970's. It is unknown how many battalions the Derry Brigade had. The Derry Brigade might also include some IRA Volunteers from North Donegal.
Armagh / Louth Area
County Armagh, Northern Ireland and County Louth in the South of Ireland, has been regarded in the past as a key area of operations for the IRA. In the 1970's there was a North Armagh Brigade and South Armagh Brigade, which included County Louth and also several other border counties. The South Armagh Brigade are notorius for killing large numbers are British soldiers and being largely invincible. It is thought to of had only 30-40 members at its height, split into two battalions. It is thought that now there is no 'North' and 'South' brigades, but one 'Armagh Brigade' which includes the border counties, including Louth.
Fermanagh / Donegal Area
As with Armagh, the Fermanagh and Donegal used to be split into two seperate Brigades, the Donegal Brigade and the Fermanagh Brigade. Now it is likely the two are just one medium-sized brigade, due to the inactivity of the IRA in these areas in recent years. Likely size: 20-30 members.
Tyrone Brigade
Tyrone, in the centre of Northern Ireland, was previously split into West and East. The West was largely a small brigade with Volunteers in Co. Derry. whle the East Tyrone covered areas such as Coalisland and Loughall and were farely powerful in the 1970's. Recently the two have been merged into one 'Tyrone Brigade' sometimes also known as the 'Mid Ulster IRA'.
Co. Antrim / Co. Down
These two counties have traditionally not been known to be home to many IRA members. it is likely there are several small ASU's which were active in this area probably totalling up to 20 volunteers.
Dublin Brigade
Dublin is probably the single biggest IRA Brigade in the south of Ireland. Most likely includes areas around Dublin, but membership probably does not exceed 30 members.
Republic of Ireland
Other areas of Ireland have been known to be home to IRA Volunteers, but there is probably not enough to form a Brigade, so therefore small IRA Active Service Units are operational in some areas. In the Province of Munster, Volunteers are thought to be in charge of arms dumps and/or training camps. IRA units are thought to also be active in Co. Kerry and Limerick especially.
Northern Command
The Northern Command along with the Southern Command are responsible for IRA operations in a certain area. The Northern Command covers the nine counties of Ulster, whereas the Southern Command covers the other three provinces of Ireland (Munster, Connacht and Leinster) as well as Britain.
Overseas IRA Units
Sometimes IRA Units are organised overseas, these are usually medium-ranking members who are under the control of the Army Council. There are known to be IRA Units in Britain (particularly the London and Glasgow ASU's) and also the USA. These could be organised for the purchasing of weapons or even attacks. The IRA has a commander in North America and also an England Department which has its own Quartermaster-General and Adjutant-General.
IRA Departments
The IRA have many departments. The following are known and have their function shown:
Engineering Dept - Bomb-making
Logistical Dept - For all materials needed for operations
Operations Dept - For planning operations
Quartermaster-Generals Dept - Arms dumps
Training Dept - Training IRA Volunteers and forming training camps
Education Dept - Responsible for training in firearms etc
Intelligence Dept - Reconnaisance primarily
Internal Security - Informants
Adjutant-General Dept - Organisation
England Dept - Operations in england
Scotland Dept - Volunteers in Scotland
North America Dept - Volunteers in North America
Actual IRA Strength
It is estimated over 8000 people passed through IRA's ranks in its almost 30-year campaign against Britain. At its height the IRA is thought to of had around 3,000 active members. Due to inactivity, dissident republican groups and arrests its strength in numbers has waned. At the current time an accurate estimate would put those 'frontline' IRA Volunteers numbering aroung 400 with around another 300 reservists or non-active 'auxilaries'.