Parties The National party includes the Catholics, who were mainly Republican. The leader of the IRA is Gerry Adams. Some citizens see the conflict as a struggle against unfair practices by the government. The Unionist party is made up of Protestants. Progressive Unionists were involved with discussing and leading negotiations between parties. Democratic Unionists continued to remain loyal to Britain. They felt they had a Constitutional right to the land.
Paramilitaries Paramilitary groups were active on both sides of Northern Ireland's political divide, including the IRA (Irish Republican Army), the UDA (Ulster defense association), the UVF (Ulster Volunteer Force) and the INLA (Irish National Liberation Army). Since the peace process began, several paramilitary splinter groups have continued to operate. British groups began to flood in the IRA and in response, Protestant paramilitary groups started to carry out bombings and other acts of terrorism. Paramilitary groups were organized in Ireland in response of British engagement into Ireland's civil rights movement. July 21, 1972, the IRA exploded 20 bombs in Belfast, killing a number of British military and civilians, in response Britain composed a new court system that allowed trial without jury for terrorism suspects.