Third Force (Northern Ireland) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Third Force |
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Emblem of Third Force.
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| Dates of operation | 1981–??? |
| Active regions | Northern Ireland |
| Ideology | Ulster loyalism Irish unionism |
| Size | Unknown |
| Opponents | Provisional IRA Irish republicans Irish nationalists Irish Catholics |
The Third Force was a group formed in Northern Ireland in the early 1980s. It was created by Ian Paisley, a well-known politician and leader of the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). The group aimed to be a 'defensive militia' for Ulster loyalists. Loyalists are people who want Northern Ireland to remain part of the United Kingdom.
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What Was the Third Force?
The Third Force was an attempt by Ian Paisley to create a large group of loyalist volunteers. These volunteers were meant to support the official police and army in Northern Ireland. Paisley had been involved with similar groups before.
Public Rallies
The group became widely known through a series of public gatherings. These were called the Third Force rallies.
- One of the most famous rallies happened on 1 April 1981.
- At these events, many men gathered.
- They showed what they said were gun permits.
- Rallies took place in areas like Gortin, Newry, and Armagh.
- At a rally in Gortin, there was a clash with the police, the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC).
- Some police vehicles were turned over.
How Many Members?
In December 1981, Ian Paisley stated that the Third Force had a large number of members. He claimed the group had between 15,000 and 20,000 people.
Why Was It Formed?
The Third Force was created for a few reasons:
- It was formed because some people were against the growing teamwork between the governments of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
- It also appeared after the death of a politician named Robert Bradford.
- The group was meant to be a way for loyalists to protect themselves.
What Happened Next?
The Third Force did not last long as a main group. It mostly faded away when another group, called Ulster Resistance, became more active.
In May 1987, an event happened that showed the Third Force's presence. A police officer, who had just been at a gathering for a former soldier, was seen with a Third Force armband. This happened in Castlewellan, County Down.
