The Official Irish Republican Army (OIRA) was a Marxist-oriented republican organization that fought for an independent, united Ireland during the early 1970s. The founding group of the OIRA, <br /><a href= ?id=55>the IRA</a>, was formed over eighty years ago as a result of the British presence in Ireland. In 1969, the IRA split into rival factions, the OIRA and Provisional IRA (PIRA). Where the OIRA desired to transform the fight into a united class struggle and turn away from militant republicanism, the PIRA sought an escalated armed campaign against the British security forces stationed in Northern Ireland.  The PIRA would later become the de facto IRA in Northern Ireland. <P><br />Following the split with the PIRA, members of the OIRA would continue to engage in small-scale armed attacks and bombings against British security forces. Many of these attacks were in protest of repressive policies, such as internment,  in Northern Ireland. They also were known to launch attacks against their republican rivals and civilians. While the majority of its attacks occurred in Northern Ireland, the group did launch an attack in England in February 1972 against a military installation, killing five people.  Members also participated in punishment beatings and internal killings against its own members and civilians. <P><br />In 1972, the OIRA declared an indefinite ceasefire. There have been several speculations regarding the declaration including: the group's desire to focus more attention on its class struggle and its negative reputation due to its perceived inability to protect Catholic civilians and several politically damaging attacks. The group also wanted to participate politically towards the establishment of a united Ireland ruled by a socialist government. While attacks against British security forces ceased, group members would continue to engage in "defensive" violence against rivals like the <a href="?id=54">Irish National Liberation Army (INLA)</a> and PIRA. <P><br /><br />