Campaign of Resistance to British Occupation
On this day in 1956 the Irish Republican Army (IRA) begins what it calls ‘The Campaign of Resistance to British Occupation’ also known as the 'Border Campaign'.
As a result of the campaign, internment was introduced in both Northern Ireland and the Republic. The campaign which was primarily focussed on British army patrols and border posts ended in February 1962 because of a lack of support. Although lacking adequate support many republicans believed that the war was justified to keep another generation of activists engaged and to continue to oppose British rule in Ireland. Issuing a statement announcing the start of the campaign, the IRA leadership commented that they were
"Spearheaded by Ireland’s freedom fighters, our people have carried the fight to the enemy…Out of this national liberation struggle, a new Ireland will emerge, upright and free. In that new Ireland, we shall build a country fit for all our people to live in. That then is our aim: an independent, united, democratic Irish Republic. For this we shall fight until the invader is driven from our soil and victory is ours."
Perhaps the most famous incident of the campaign was the IRA raid on the village of Brookeborough in county Fermanagh on New Years Day, 1957. Although the attack was a military disaster for the IRA, it proved a major propaganda coup for the movement. On this occasion the IRA volunteers lost two men, but Seán South and Fergal O'Hanlon, were hailed as republican martyrs. The funeral of South in Limerick was attended by over 20,000 people while the pair became part of republican balladry with songs penned in their honour.
Source: Fermanagh Herald 1903-current, Saturday, December 22, 1956; Page: 5
