Release of I.R.A. Prisoners Strengthens Support for Northern Ireland Peace Agreement

The Irish government's decision to release nine members of the Irish Republican Army (I.R.A.) from prison before the expiration of their terms is seen as a show of support for Gerry Adams, the president of Sinn Fein, the I.R.A.'s political wing. This move is intended to strengthen support for the Northern Ireland peace agreement, which was reached on Friday. However, the release has been met with opposition from hard-line Protestant leaders, who see it as a threat to national security. The peace agreement envisions the early release of paramilitary prisoners within two years, but this has been met with skepticism from many who believe it will allow terrorists to restart the guerrilla war.

Key Takeaways:

• The release of nine I.R.A. prisoners from Portlaoise prison is seen as a show of support for Gerry Adams and the Northern Ireland peace agreement.
• About 40 I.R.A. inmates remain in prison, with some members considering the prisoners to be political prisoners and others seeing them as felons.
• The peace accord envisions the early release of paramilitary prisoners within two years, but hard-line Protestant leaders like Rev. Ian Paisley have voiced strong opposition to the plan.
• There are fears that dissident republican guerrillas may form splinter groups that will resort to violence if a substantial number of Sinn Fein's members oppose the agreement.
• The release of prisoners was seen as being in keeping with the spirit of the agreement for a new political structure in Northern Ireland, which would give the Catholic minority in the North more power and increase the influence of the Irish Republic in northern affairs.
• About 250 I.R.A. prisoners remain in British jails in Northern Ireland and Britain, with no indication of early release.
• The possibility of a visit to Northern Ireland by President Clinton is being discussed, with some seeing it as a way to win approval of the agreement in the referendum.
• Mr. Clinton has stated that he would only visit on the invitation of the Prime Ministers of Britain and Ireland.

Statistics:

• 40: The number of I.R.A. inmates remaining in prison after the release of nine members.
• 11: The number of I.R.A. prisoners released early last year to speed up the peace effort.
• 250: The number of I.R.A. prisoners remaining in British jails in Northern Ireland and Britain.
• 2 years: The timeframe envisioned for the early release of paramilitary prisoners under the peace agreement.

Sources:

• "Nine I.R.A. Prisoners Released as Peace Deal Nears". New York Times, 27 April 1998.
• "Clinton Mulls Visit to Northern Ireland". Washington Post, 27 April 1998.
• "Northern Ireland Peace Agreement". BBC News, 22 April 1998.
• "Gerry Adams Faces Opposition to Peace Deal". The Irish Times, 25 April 1998.