Shadowboxing in the Dark
Intelligence and Counter-Terrorism in Northern Ireland
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4087150 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rory Finegan (corresponding author) |
| Year | 2016 |
| Volume | 28 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | 497-519 |
| Publication date | 2016-05-26 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Terrorism and Political Violence (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0954-6553 • E-ISSN: 1556-1836 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/09546553.2016.1155933 |
| OpenAlex | W2337876561 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
The British experience in Northern Ireland, particularly the fight against the Provisional Irish Republican Army (PIRA), is an oft-cited case study in the counter-insurgency (COIN) spectrum and tome of counter-terrorism studies. It is the totality of the British intelligence experience in Northern Ireland, with its successes and challenges, which make it such a valuable case study from which to draw insight to shape contemporary COIN intelligence-based operations. As the conflict was both prolonged and intensified, a multitude of intelligence units from military and law enforcement evolved specifically to counter the effectiveness of PIRA; and to satisfy the desire of the security establishment to intensify information-gathering activities. This article examines the evolution and development of this security intelligence-driven effort that ultimately had the cumulative effect to wear down PIRA’s military capability through the focused application of a prolonged and lavishly resourced linked intelligence apparatus as an adjunct of a heavy military and police footprint. Nevertheless, despite Northern Ireland being a relatively small geographical area, the eventual containment of PIRA took years to achieve, demonstrating just how difficult it is to address a committed and determined insurgency. This highlights that a successful COIN strategy is arguably best predicated on the need for “patient” as opposed to “decisive” operations
Counter terrorism · Criminology · Ethnology · Insurgency · Intelligence analysis · Irish · Law enforcement · Military intelligence · Multitude · Northern ireland · Political economy · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Sociology · Terrorism · Irish and British Studies · Law · Military History and Strategy · Policing Practices and Perceptions
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,3 |
| Citation span | 2016 - 2021 (6) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 2 |