Changes

During the period between the Irish Civil War and [[World War II]], the IRA was largely engaged in social issues, which they approached from a left-wing perspective. While a number of IRA men joined the socialist and communist [[International Brigades]] in the [[Spanish Civil War]], they engaged in generally non-violent protest in Ireland. This approach was unpopular, partially due to the influence of the conservative Catholic Church in Ireland, and IRA membership dwindled.

During the period between the Irish Civil War and [[World War II]], the IRA was largely engaged in social issues, which they approached from a left-wing perspective. While a number of IRA men joined the socialist and communist [[International Brigades]] in the [[Spanish Civil War]], they engaged in generally non-violent protest in Ireland. This approach was unpopular, partially due to the influence of the conservative Catholic Church in Ireland, and IRA membership dwindled.

In 1938, the IRA began preparing plans to return to war with a bombing campaign in England. The IRA also sought German assistance with the campaign, but in the end the Germans provided little assistance. The IRA campaign had little effect, largely due to repressive measures taken by the UK and Irish governments. IRA members were interned without trial in both countries, and several were executed.

In 1938, the IRA began preparing plans to return to war with a bombing campaign in England. The IRA also sought the assistance of [[Nazi Germany]], but in the end the [[Abwehr]] provided little assistance. The IRA campaign had little effect, largely due to repressive measures taken by the British and Irish governments.  

 

At the time of the Second World War, the [[Irish Free State]] was under the governance of [[Eamonn de Valera]] and the Fianna Fail Party. Faced with an upsurge of terrorist violence, de Valera began interning IRA members without trial in the [[Curragh Camp]] in [[County Kildare]]. IRA men accused of capital crimes were tried by military tribunals and in some cases received the [[death penalty]].<ref> Tim Pat Coogan, "The IRA: A History," pages 143-150.</ref>

 

Also during this era, IRA Chief of Staff [[Charles Kerins]] was hanged at Dublin's Mountjoy Prison on December 1, 1944. He had been convicted by court-martial of the machine gun slaying of a Detective Sergeant [[Denis O'Brien]] of the [[Garda Siochana]]. Kerins is revered as a martyr by militant Irish nationalists to this day.

===Border Campaign===

===Border Campaign===