Clontibret invasion

Part of The Troubles

Date	7 August 1986
Location	Clontibret, County Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
Result	Loyalists returned over border Peter Robinson arrested by the Garda

Belligerents

Ulster loyalists

An Garda Síochána

Strength

c. 150–500 loyalists. Some armed with cudgels.

5 Gardaí. Some armed with guns.

Casualties and losses

1 loyalist arrested

2 Gardaí injured and hospitalised

The Clontibret invasion was an incursion by Ulster loyalists into the small Monaghan village of Clontibret, in the Republic of Ireland, on 7 August 1986. After crossing the border the loyalists proceeded to vandalise many buildings in the village and beat up two police officers before being dispersed by the Garda Síochána. The incident occurred in the context of unionist opposition to the recently signed Anglo-Irish Agreement.

The invasion can be considered part of the campaign by unionists to undo the Anglo-Irish Agreement. The Agreement, signed by the British and Irish governments in November 1985, gave the Irish government an advisory role in Northern Ireland's government. This provision caused outrage amongst the Unionist community of Northern Ireland. Many felt it was a 'stepping stone' towards a united Ireland. They were determined to show their opposition and even reverse the Agreement. All Unionist MPs in the British House of Commons resigned their seats in protest. 400,000 signatures were signed in a petition against the Agreement. A mass rally was held in protest outside Belfast City Hall. On 3 March 1986, a unionist 'Day of Action' shut down Northern Ireland's shops, offices and factories. The homes of police officers were petrol bombed.

Clontibret is about one mile from the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, in the Republic. The incursion took place on the night of 7 August 1986. The number of loyalists that took part is uncertain. Initial police reports stated that about 150 took part. This figure was repeated by some news reports on the incident. One news report stated a figure of about 200, apparently based on estimates made by locals. The figure of 500 is often stated in secondary sources, based on the estimate that Peter Robinson gave speaking to a radio station from custody. Robinson, deputy leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and a sitting MP, was the most prominent figure involved. The extent of his involvement in planning the raid and leading the mob is unclear, though the incident has become very much associated with him.

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Wikipedia