Counter Extremism in Ireland: An Overview of the Landscape

This article addresses how the legacy of the conflict known as the Troubles affects how we conceive of and respond to terrorism and political violence (TPV) on the island of Ireland. It will focus on how dominant frameworks such as those that emerged after 9/11 led to what has become a two-tiered system of counterterrorism and counter extremism: one for Troubles-linked extremism and one for Islamic-linked extremism. Focusing on issues of ideology, radicalization, motivation, legislation, and particularly prison regimes, this article will examine how Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland frame and respond to TPV. In addition, this article will highlight how, what is termed Preventing Violence Extremism (PVE) and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), manifests in Ireland in response to pre- and post-9/11 instances of TPV and, finally, how lessons from Ireland might be relevant for addressing political violence beyond the island.