Apart from some sporadic campaigns, the IRA had long been dormant and as the violence worsened, some of its traditional supporters accused it of failing to defend the Catholic community: Graffiti reading "IRA - I Ran Away" appeared in many areas.

Such was the near anarchy, the Irish government even suggested that it would be forced to intervene.

Amid the violence and rows over how to react, what remained of the IRA was already heading for a split over the place of constitutional politics in its movement.

The more Marxist "Official" IRA wanted at least a token recognition of parliamentary politics and the Dublin government.

Hardliners not only demanded action on the streets but regarded political abstention as an article of faith. They said that recognition of the Dail, Dublin's parliament, would entrench partition. They split to form the "Provisional" IRA.