Troops Out Movement
Encyclopedia
The Troops Out Movement (TOM) is an Irish republican
organisation, based in the United Kingdom
, that was formed in 1973 with the aim of bringing an end to British involvement in Northern Ireland
, and bringing about a united Ireland
.
The organisation has two demands: "British troops out of Ireland" and "Self-determination for the Irish people as a whole". It believes that the responsible removal of the British political and military presence in Ireland is fundamental to a peaceful solution to the Troubles
, and that only when this happens can the people of Ireland truly determine their own future.
The movement was founded in west London
in late 1973. Its first main event, a large public meeting, took place at Fulham
Town Hall in early November of that year. TOM then expanded rapidly with branches being formed, first in other areas of London and then throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
TOM claims to campaign for the full implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement
, including the issues of justice, policing, equality, demilitarisation, employment discrimination, cultural rights and the Irish language, and also highlights sectarian attacks on nationalist communities from loyalist paramilitaries
.
TOM also highlights claims of the shoot-to-kill policy in Northern Ireland
and campaigns for the immediate end to the use of plastic bullet
s.
One notable member of TOM was Paddy Prendiville, who later went on to edit the satirical magazine The Phoenix
.
Irish Republicanism
Irish republicanism is an ideology based on the belief that all of Ireland should be an independent republic.In 1801, under the Act of Union, the Kingdom of Great Britain and the Kingdom of Ireland merged to form the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland...
organisation, based in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, that was formed in 1973 with the aim of bringing an end to British involvement in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
, and bringing about a united Ireland
United Ireland
A united Ireland is the term used to refer to the idea of a sovereign state which covers all of the thirty-two traditional counties of Ireland. The island of Ireland includes the territory of two independent sovereign states: the Republic of Ireland, which covers 26 counties of the island, and the...
.
The organisation has two demands: "British troops out of Ireland" and "Self-determination for the Irish people as a whole". It believes that the responsible removal of the British political and military presence in Ireland is fundamental to a peaceful solution to the Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
, and that only when this happens can the people of Ireland truly determine their own future.
The movement was founded in west London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in late 1973. Its first main event, a large public meeting, took place at Fulham
Fulham
Fulham is an area of southwest London in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, SW6 located south west of Charing Cross. It lies on the left bank of the Thames, between Putney and Chelsea. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London...
Town Hall in early November of that year. TOM then expanded rapidly with branches being formed, first in other areas of London and then throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
TOM claims to campaign for the full implementation of all aspects of the Good Friday Agreement
Belfast Agreement
The Good Friday Agreement or Belfast Agreement , sometimes called the Stormont Agreement, was a major political development in the Northern Ireland peace process...
, including the issues of justice, policing, equality, demilitarisation, employment discrimination, cultural rights and the Irish language, and also highlights sectarian attacks on nationalist communities from loyalist paramilitaries
Ulster loyalism
Ulster loyalism is an ideology that is opposed to a united Ireland. It can mean either support for upholding Northern Ireland's status as a constituent part of the United Kingdom , support for Northern Ireland independence, or support for loyalist paramilitaries...
.
TOM also highlights claims of the shoot-to-kill policy in Northern Ireland
Shoot-to-kill policy in Northern Ireland
During the period known as "the Troubles" in Northern Ireland, the British Army and Royal Ulster Constabulary were accused of operating a shoot-to-kill policy, under which suspects were alleged to have been deliberately killed without any attempt to arrest them...
and campaigns for the immediate end to the use of plastic bullet
Plastic bullet
A plastic bullet or plastic baton round is a non-lethal projectile fired from a specialised gun. Although designed as a non-lethal weapon they have still caused several deaths. They are generally used for riot control...
s.
One notable member of TOM was Paddy Prendiville, who later went on to edit the satirical magazine The Phoenix
The Phoenix (magazine)
The Phoenix is Ireland's best selling political and current affairs magazine. Inspired by the British magazine Private Eye, and a source of investigative journalism in Ireland...
.