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Glite Dictionary
Real IRA

Real IRA

9.9
A violent Irish group that formed in 1997 and used bombs and attacks
  • proper noun
  • Offensive
translation icon : Real IRA
  • Authorities blamed the Real IRA, a radical group responsible for violent attacks in Northern Ireland, for the recent bombings.

Examples

  • Several members of the Real IRA were arrested after a failed attack on a police station.

  • Many people fear the activities of the Real IRA in Northern Ireland.

  • The Real IRA claimed responsibility for several bombings in Northern Ireland.

  • Unlike the mainstream IRA, the Real IRA rejected the peace process.

  • The Real IRA claimed responsibility for the bombing.

  • The Real IRA is known for its opposition to the peace process in Northern Ireland, making it a controversial organization.

  • Following the bombing, the Real IRA released a statement justifying their actions against the UK government.

Synonyms

Real Irish Republican Army
vsReal IRA
  • Offensive
8.6

A small armed Irish group that uses bombs and guns to oppose peace talks

is the shorter common form used in general references
RIRA
vsReal IRA
9.9

An armed Irish group that opposes peace agreements and uses violence

is the full phrase usually used instead of the short form
Dissident Irish Republican Army
vsReal IRA
  • NSFW
9.9

An armed group that split from the Provisional IRA in 1997 and uses violence against the Northern Ireland peace process

focuses on the specific 1997 split and responsibility for attacks in that region

Surface Forms

Real IRA main

Morphology

real + IRA

As a proper name the components 'real' + 'IRA' signal a variant or faction of the IRA that claims to be the 'genuine' IRA, so a learner who knows both words can infer a relationship to the IRA. However, the specific historical facts (a 1997 splinter group, its radical stance and particular violent actions) are not derivable from the constituents, so the full meaning is not predictable without prior exposure.

Etymology

Real IRA comes from members who said they were the 'real' IRA, or the same IRA as before. They rejected the peace talks and kept using violence, so the name now refers to a small, radical group that carried out attacks.