Paramilitary finances in the Troubles

In order to finance their armed campaigns during the Troubles (1969–1998), both Irish republican and Ulster loyalist paramilitaries engaged in numerous fundraising activities within Ireland and the United Kingdom, such as bank robbery, extortion, drug trafficking, bootleg recording, racketeering, and legitimate businesses such as social clubs, taxi companies, and retail shops. They also received finances from overseas, with the Republican paramilitaries being given the most support.[1][2]

The overwhelming bulk of the revenue provided for the paramilitaries throughout the conflict came from criminal and legitimate activities across the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland, and Great Britain.[1] These funds were used to purchase weapons overseas and parts to manufacture homemade firearms and explosives, pay their volunteers and families of imprisoned activists, and for political, public relations, and community activities.[3][4][5] While overseas donations were generally appreciated, they were mostly small and did not really impact any tactical or political decisions on the paramilitaries.[6][2][1]

  1. ^ a b c Select Committee on Northern Ireland Affairs - Part One: The continuing threat from paramilitary organisations. UK Parliament (Report). 26 June 2002.
  2. ^ a b Laura K. Donohue (2006). "Anti-Terrorist Finance in the United Kingdom and United States". 27 (2). Stanford University Center for International Security and Cooperation: 8. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ Horgan and Taylor. “The Provisional Irish Republican Army: Command and Functional Structure. Terrorism and Political Violence. Vol. 11, No. 3 (Fall 1999), p.2
  4. ^ Steve Coll (12 February 1994). "IRA THRIVES ON INCOME FROM RACKETS, INVESTIGATORS SAY". The Washington Post.
  5. ^ Michael Freeman (15 April 2016). Financing Terrorism: Case Studies. Taylor & Francis. p. 170. ISBN 9-7813-1713-5074.
  6. ^ Isabel Woodford and M.L.R. Smith (2018). "The Political Economy of the Provos: Inside the Finances of the Provisional IRA – A Revision" (PDF). 41 (3). Taylor & Francis: 3. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)