Provisional Irish Republican Army
The Provisional IRA emerged from the split in the Irish Republican Army in 1969-1970 out of the faction which supported the traditional republican commitment to parliamentary abstentionism. Its immediate policy priority was the defence of the nationalist ghettoes from attack by loyalists and the police. Its political counterpart was initially known as Provisional Sinn Féin.[1] Sean McStiofain was the Provisionals' first chief of staff.[2]
