The Troubles: A Secret History

Northern Ireland’s leading team of investigative journalists reveal important new discoveries about the outbreak of the conflict known as the Troubles, 50 years after troops were deployed.

Jennifer O’Leary uncovers IRA arms connections around the world and charts how republicans built a political strategy in parallel with their armed campaign.

Unionist anger grew as IRA attacks on the security forces killed members of their community. When Margaret Thatcher signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement in 1985, giving the Republic of Ireland political influence in the North, the anger spilled over leading to loyalist groups rearming. Using intelligence leaks to boost their campaign of killing, new information reveals MI5 agents operating inside the largest loyalist group, the Ulster Defence Association.

The inside story of how the Troubles ended told by those who fought the IRAs war and by those at the heart of peace efforts.