A series of 13 programmes Written and presented by Robert Kee 9:Terror
In 1918 Sinn Fein, pledged to an independent Irish Republic, won a sweeping victory at the first British General Election since the war. Irish nationalists set up a parliament of their own in Dublin. The scene was set for violent confrontation between the British forces of law and order and the newly-created Irish Republican Army, directed by Michael Collins. Terror, as participants on both sides now recount, was answered by counter-terror. By 1920 Ireland had become a grim battleground. Reinforcements for the police were provided by the Black and Tans and Auxiliaries. By 1921 British public opinion, the IRA and the British Army were equally exhausted and a truce was signed.
Film research VICTORIA WEGG-PROSSER Music composed by FRANCIS SHAW Film editor SIMON HAMMOND Producer JEREMY ISAACS See Letters