The Irish Republican Army (IRA) is a paramilitary group whose goals are to free Northern Ireland from British rule, and unify it with Ireland to form a 32-county independent Irish Republic. The group was deemed a terrorist organization by the United Kingdom until 2002, and remains an illegal organization in the Republic of Ireland.

There are three basic off-shoot groups from the Irish Republican Army. The first group to splinter off was the Continuity Irish Republican Army (CIRA), which broke off in 1994. The group considers itself to be carrying out the original goal of the IRA in removing British authority from Northern Ireland. The group is thought to be comprised of about 50 members. Support for the group reportedly comes from people in the United States.

Another group, the Irish National Liberation Army, became active in 1997, shooting the leader of a loyal group, Billy Wright, while he was serving a prison sentence. The group is the least active of any splinter group, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

The last group was formed in 1997 and is known as the Real Irish Republican Army (RIRA). Opposing the peace policy and the negotiations that are supported by the Sinn Fein party, the group has carried out many deadly attacks. According to the U.S. State Department the group has approximately 150 members and actively recruits for new members. Among the splinter groups, this is the most active group.Council on Foreign Relations: IRA Splinter Groups

Throughout its history, the IRA has been responsible for several acts of terror. In 1993, the organization was responsible for the Shankhill Road bombing, and the Manchester City Centre Bombing that injured more than 200 people.Manchester UK: The Manchester Bombing The IRA issued "sincere apologies and condolences" to its civilian victims before disarming in 2005.

• Conservapedia: Irish Republican Army