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Title:
Forward to the Past? Interpreting Contemporary and Future Loyalist Violence, 1994-2006

Subject Categories:
Crime and law enforcement - Law, crime and legal systems
Conflict, security and peace - Politics
Community and urban studies - Society and culture
Social attitudes and behaviour - Society and culture

Depositor(s):
Monaghan, R., University of Ulster. Faculty of Social Sciences

Principal Investigator(s):
Shirlow, P., University of Ulster. School of Environmental Sciences
Monaghan, R., University of Ulster. Faculty of Social Sciences

Sponsor(s):
Economic and Social Research Council

Grant Number:
RES-000-22-1013

Other Acknowledgements:
Mrs. Dawn Purvis, Research Officer for the project.

Abstract:
This research project considered in detail loyalist violence in Northern Ireland since the paramilitary ceasefires of 1994, and its potential to continue, especially in relation to possible constitutional changes. The research examined three strands of contemporary loyalist violence, namely: sectarian attacks; violence directed at other loyalists; and the potential for future violence given constitutional uncertainty. The project gathered in-depth information on loyalist violence, including documentary factual research, covering the type of incident, prevalence, location and concentration. From this, geographic information system (GIS) maps of Troubles-related deaths attributed to loyalist paramilitaries were generated. Focus groups and interviews were conducted with loyalist and other key community representatives to ascertain perceptions of loyalist violence. Additional in-depth interviews were also undertaken with groups and individuals from projects and activities aimed at diluting the rationale of paramilitary involvement. Interviews with voluntary groups and statutory agencies allowed further exploration of perceptions of such violence and the potential impacts of diversionary schemes.

Further information about the project can be found on the ESRC Forward to the Past? Interpreting Contemporary and Future Loyalist Violence award web page.


Main Topics:
This mixed-methods data collection includes three elements:

• 15 transcripts of interviews with representatives from political parties, voluntary groups and statutory agencies, covering perceptions of loyalist violence and its potential to continue
• a database (MS Excel format) comprising media reports of 'punishment' attacks attributed to loyalist paramilitaries, from the ceasefires of 1994 to March 2006
• two GIS maps (Adobe PDF format) of Troubles-related deaths by postcode

Coverage:
Time Period Covered: 1994-2006
Dates of Fieldwork: April 2005-March 2006
Country: Northern Ireland
Spatial Units: The maps include deaths by postcode. No spatial unit is used for the qualitative data.
Observation Units: Individuals; Institutions/organisations; Administrative units (geographical/political)
Kind of Data: Textual data; Alpha/numeric data; Image; Individual (micro) level; Semi-structured interview transcripts; Excel database; Maps (PDF format).

Universe Sampled:
Location of Units of Observation:National
Population:Representatives from Northern Ireland political parties, voluntary groups and statutory agencies, interviewed in 2005-2006; violent incidents and deaths attributed to loyalist paramilitaries 1994-2006.

Methodology:
Time Dimensions: Cross-sectional (one-time) study
Sampling Procedures: For the interviews, a process of snowball sampling, utilising intermediary agencies and personal contacts, was used. For the database and maps, as many secondary data sources as possible (including newspapers, community news sheets and police statistics) were utilised.
Number of Units: 15 interview transcripts; see database and maps for numbers of attacks.
Method of Data Collection: Face-to-face interview; Compilation or synthesis of existing material
Weighting: Not applicable.
Data Sources: Media sources used for the database include: Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland daily newspapers, including 'Belfast Telegraph', 'Irish News', 'News Letter', 'Irish Times', 'Sunday World' and 'Sunday Life', plus press releases from the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) and items from 'BBC On-line'.

Language(s) of Written Materials:
Study Description: English
Study Documentation: English

Access:
Access Conditions: The depositor has specified that registration is required and standard conditions of use apply. The depositor may be informed about usage. See terms and conditions for further information.
Availability: ESDS Qualidata, UK Data Archive
Contact: Help desk: qualidata@esds.ac.uk

Date of Release:
First Edition: 3 June 2008

Copyright:
Copyright P. Shirlow and R. Monaghan

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