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Copying to be Different: Violent Dissident Irish Republican Learning

ABSTRACT While the impact of the Troubles retains centrality within much of Northern Irish political life, the spectre of almost daily violence is becoming a more distant memory. Peace has come to the region. In spite of this, however, there are those who wish to maintain the utility of violence to achieve their stated aims. Most dominant among these are the violent dissident republican groups. No longer is their existence solely defined by their desire to bring about a united Ireland. In order to have any opportunity of longevity, they must first legitimize their continued existence, and in turn distance themselves from their former Provisional comrades. This article assesses how groups, such as the Continuity Irish Republican Army (IRA), Óglaigh na hÉireann, and the IRA/New IRA utilize the lessons learned from their Provisional history to differentiate themselves from the politicized dominance of Sinn Féin. This evaluation is carried out through the analysis of interviews with leadership and rank and file members of both political and paramilitary dissident groupings, which is complemented by the analysis of the Violent Dissident Republican events database. These sources are supplemented with the assessment of organizational statements, from 2007 to the present day. The article focuses on violent, and nonviolent, learning.