Restoration of Order in Ireland Act 1920
Encyclopedia
The Restoration of Order in Ireland Act 1920 (10 & 11 Geo. 5 c. 31) was an Act
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
passed on 9 August 1920 to address the collapse of the British civilian administration in Ireland
during the Irish War of Independence
.
In effect a special extension of the Defence of the Realm Acts, the Act's aim was to increase convictions of nationalist rebels
while averting the need to declare martial law. Following a guillotine motion, Royal Assent was received on 13 August.
The Bill provided for the replacement of trial by jury by courts-martial in those areas where IRA activity was prevalent and a further extension of the jurisdiction of courts-martial to include capital offences. In addition military courts of enquiry were to be substituted for coroners’ inquests. This was primarily as local authorities were finding British soldiers liable in killing Irish people.
Initially the number of convictions steadily increased to 50-60 per week leading to increased internments but also to a large number of men "on the run." However these men could no longer continue in their dayjobs while carrying on their guerrilla activities part time. This allowed the IRA to implement a change in approach. They were organised into small, mobile flying columns, or active service units, more suited to ambushes of patrols and convoys than attacks on individuals and barracks as before.
On 10 December 1920 Martial law
was proclaimed in Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Tipperary. In January 1921 Martial Law was extended to Clare and Waterford.
Despite its name, the courts were of the view that ROIA applied in England too. Following the creation of the Irish Free State
, when the Act was repealed by implication, it was still used to deport ex members of the ISDL to Ireland.
Act of Parliament
An Act of Parliament is a statute enacted as primary legislation by a national or sub-national parliament. In the Republic of Ireland the term Act of the Oireachtas is used, and in the United States the term Act of Congress is used.In Commonwealth countries, the term is used both in a narrow...
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
passed on 9 August 1920 to address the collapse of the British civilian administration in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
during the Irish War of Independence
Irish War of Independence
The Irish War of Independence , Anglo-Irish War, Black and Tan War, or Tan War was a guerrilla war mounted by the Irish Republican Army against the British government and its forces in Ireland. It began in January 1919, following the Irish Republic's declaration of independence. Both sides agreed...
.
In effect a special extension of the Defence of the Realm Acts, the Act's aim was to increase convictions of nationalist rebels
Irish Republican Army
The Irish Republican Army was an Irish republican revolutionary military organisation. It was descended from the Irish Volunteers, an organisation established on 25 November 1913 that staged the Easter Rising in April 1916...
while averting the need to declare martial law. Following a guillotine motion, Royal Assent was received on 13 August.
The Bill provided for the replacement of trial by jury by courts-martial in those areas where IRA activity was prevalent and a further extension of the jurisdiction of courts-martial to include capital offences. In addition military courts of enquiry were to be substituted for coroners’ inquests. This was primarily as local authorities were finding British soldiers liable in killing Irish people.
Initially the number of convictions steadily increased to 50-60 per week leading to increased internments but also to a large number of men "on the run." However these men could no longer continue in their dayjobs while carrying on their guerrilla activities part time. This allowed the IRA to implement a change in approach. They were organised into small, mobile flying columns, or active service units, more suited to ambushes of patrols and convoys than attacks on individuals and barracks as before.
On 10 December 1920 Martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
was proclaimed in Counties Cork, Kerry, Limerick, and Tipperary. In January 1921 Martial Law was extended to Clare and Waterford.
Despite its name, the courts were of the view that ROIA applied in England too. Following the creation of the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
, when the Act was repealed by implication, it was still used to deport ex members of the ISDL to Ireland.