When originally published in 1984, this book was the first detailed study of terrorism in Ireland. It assesses the situation in Ireland after a decade or more of violence in the North and tests some of the assumptions about the nature of terrorism and discusses the problem in a geo-political context. The authors reflect a variety of disciplines and political outlooks and no single line of argument is offered. They examine how the issue of terrorism has been dealt with by various governments, the church, the media and individuals. The book reveals the complexity of the terrorist problem and dispels some of the myths that have grown up around Irish terrorism.

Part 1: Overview 1. The International Dimensions of Terrorism in Ireland Michael McKinley 2. The United States and Terrorism in Ireland 1969-1981 Raymond J. Raymond 3. Scotland, Britain and Conflict in Ireland Tom Gallagher Part 2: Sociological, Psychological and Operational Aspects: Case Studies 4. Women and the Troubles, 1969-1980 Suzanne Buckley and Pamela Lonergan 5. The Psychology of Terrorism in Northern Ireland Ken Heskin 6. Political Assassination in the Irish Tradition Tom Corfe 7. The Catholic Church and Revolution in Nineteenth Century Ireland Sheridan Gilley Part 3: Political Communication and Terrorism 8. Water For the Fish: Terrorism and Public Opinion D. G. Boyce 9. Northern Ireland and Fleet Street: Misreporting a Continuing Tragedy John Kirkaldy 10. Ulster Terrorism: The U. S. Network News Coverage of Northern Ireland, 1968-1979 Ken Ward 11. Terrorism, The Media and the Liberal Democratic State: A Critique of the Orthodoxy Philip Schlesinger Part 4: The Future of Terrorism 12. The Problem of Ulster Terrorism: The Historical Roots Paul Bew 13. The Persistence of I.R.A. Terrorism Martha Crenshaw